Pilot of paraglider dies after 100ft plunge at beauty spot

The 52-year-old man was taking part in the adventure sport at Buckstones Edge on the moors above Marsden, near Huddersfield, when the accident happened on Saturday afternoon.

Witnesses said the conditions appeared to be good for paragliding.

The area is popular with users of paragliders and hang gliders who launch from the crags next to a car park to fly over March Haigh valley, which falls steeply from the roadside.

Emergency services including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance attended the scene but the man had died.

His body was carried up steep banking to a waiting ambulance by members of the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team.

It is believed he had fallen from a height of around 100ft onto rocks below.

West Yorkshire Police are investigating the circumstances.

Rescuers who attended the scene described the weather as clear, sunny and with a slight breeze.

It is believed there were other people paragliding and hang gliding at the scene.

The pilot who died came from Bury, Lancashire.

Police said that members of 
the man’s family have been informed.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said the incident was reported to them at 2.15pm.

“Yorkshire Air Ambulance has responded but the 52-year-old man has been reported as dead at the scene.

“His family has been informed and the coroner has been made aware.

“West Yorkshire Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.”

A spokesman from the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team said Buckstones Edge was a popular spot for those who enjoyed paragliding, which involves sitting in a harness beneath a fabric wing.

“Unfortunately, despite the favourable weather, a paraglider had got into difficulties and fell a considerable distance, crashing into an area of rocks just below the car park.

“The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team responded to the incident along with police, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Teams and 
technical rescue experts from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“The Mountain Rescue Team was on hand to assist with a short evacuation up the steep valley- side to an ambulance waiting in the car park above.”