Vernon, B.C. man dies in North Okanagan paragliding incident

A paragliding lesson ended tragically in the North Okanagan on Thursday when a 63-year-old Vernon, B.C., man fell 25 feet to his death.

The fatal incident happened at Freedom Flight Park, a Lumby-based paragliding school located along the 200 block of Mabel Lake Road.

The school’s owner says the victim was an experienced hang-gliding pilot who was a few days into his paragliding training. Thursday was his sixth paragliding lesson.

“A tragic day for us,” said Dave Underwood, adding the man fell onto his back shortly after being launched.

Underwood said he was around 2,000 feet away when the man fell, but that he rushed to the site and started giving CPR.

According to Underwood, the death is now being investigated by the BC Coroners Service.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP say they’re investigating the incident, which happened around 8 a.m.

Police say when an officer arrived, B.C. Emergency Health Service personnel were providing medical attention to an unresponsive man in a field.

“Sadly, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said police.

RCMP confirmed that the man began a paragliding flight when he suddenly crashed shortly after takeoff.

“This is an incredibly tragic event and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Const. Chris Terleski.

Police say no criminality is suspected and the BC Coroners Service is conducting an independent and concurrent fact-finding investigation.