A fatal paragliding accident that claimed the life of a 59-year-old man at Mount Borah is thought to have been caused by human error.
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XC Camp event organiser Godfrey Wenness said he believed the man had failed to deploy his emergency parachute, despite being a highly accredited pilot in his home region of Hong Kong.
Flying continued yesterday after the other competitors were debriefed on the tragedy, and Mr Wenness said he hoped all would continue to take safety seriously.
"Over 80 per cent of the pilots who take part in this event are from overseas," he said.
"We are in the hands of the people who train pilots in other countries and all we can hope is they are taught well, and that safety is a priority."
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Paramedics were called to the scene near Manilla on Thursday after the man fell more than 50 metres while paragliding, but they were unable to save him.
"From what we understand, the man had ample time to deploy his emergency parachute, but for whatever reason failed to do so," Mr Wenness said.
"It is possible he may have lost consciousness due to the G force, but we will never know for sure."
The matter will go to the coroner for an official finding.
Mr Wenness said the man had a very high level of accreditation and "given the circumstances ... the cause of the accident seems to be gross pilot error".
"When and how to deploy your emergency parachute are some of the first things you learn about paragliding.
"The man had a T4 accreditation, which is the second highest you can attain.
"But just because you have passed the exams to get to that level, doesn't necessarily mean you have the hands-on knowledge in the air, which appears to be the case here."
NSW Ambulance Inspector Dean Alchin said paramedics had done all they could.
"Whilst treating the patient, the man's condition rapidly deteriorated and subsequently the gentleman passed away," Inspector Alchin said.
"This was another excellent effort from our paramedics, who worked very well with other emergency services to give this man the best chance of survival.
"Such extreme falls rarely have positive patient outcomes and this news will naturally be devastating for the man's family and the wider community.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this time."
Despite the tragedy, the cross-country event at Mount Borah continued yesterday.
"All of the other pilots were given a full debriefing and were eager to get out there again," Mr Wenness said.
"Flying conditions have been virtually perfect after last week's rain.
"This accident, as I said, was down to pilot error."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
