Paraglider dies while attempting glide

A paragliding enthusiast died when he hit a rock outcrop on a hill and fell into a river while trying to fly his machine in Pengkalan Bukit Datu, here, yesterday.

In the 6.30pm incident, Mohd Asri Ismail, 46, from Marang, died of severe injuries at the scene.

His friend, who was the glide instructor and strapped to the victim, fractured his right hand and received treatment at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.

The victim's body was sent to same hospital for post-mortem.

Kuala Terengganu Police Chief, ACP Idris Abd Rafar said, it was learn that Mohd Asri's friend had flown the paraglider individually three times before bringing along the victim in his fourth attempt.

"However, his fourth attempt not only failed but also caused the death of one of them when they bumped into the rock outcrop and fell into the river," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

The incident was the second fatal accident involving this risky sport, as before this another paraglider, Aziz Noh, 50, crashed while handling his machine and died near Air Tawar beach in Besut, last October.