Paragliding Pilot Dies Saving Passenger After Parachute Snaps

While the pilot died of his injuries received on impact, the passenger survived with a broken leg.

A screenshot of the video showing the mid-air glide and the eventual accident. 

(Photo: Screenshot)

In a tragic mid-air accident, a paraglider pilot in Kalimpong, West Bengal, has been killed while trying to save his passenger during the flight. Purushottam Timsina, a 22-year-old paraglider pilot, was in the middle of his flight with passenger Gaurav Choudhary, when the parachute snapped suddenly, leaving the two spiralling in the air, reported The Indian Express.

The brave pilot continued to pilot the damaged vehicle till the end, holding onto his passenger till impact. The incident took place on Saturday, 24 November, reported The Indian Express.

While Choudhary survived the impact with only a broken leg, Timsina received more serious injuries, later succumbing to them.

Timsinia and his passenger, Choudhary.(Photo: Screenshot)

The glider ride took off from Deolo tourist lodge and was supposed to make a landing at Ronaldsay Park, according to a report.

The video was recorded by Choudhary, who was using a selfie camera to record what was meant to be the experience of a lifetime. The camera eventually ended up recording the entire incident. The video was later shared on a Facebook page called “We Love Siliguri”.

Watch the video here.

Officials have said that they are currently investigating the matter to find out whether safety procedures were followed properly before the flight, reported IndiaTimes.

(With inputs from The Indian Express and IndiaTimes.)