25-Year-Old Gujarat Tourist Dies in Paragliding Crash in Himachal’s Dharamshala

A tragic paragliding accident occurred on Monday evening in Indrunag, located on the outskirts of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, resulting in the death of a 25-year-old tourist from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The deceased, identified as Satish Rajesh Bhai, was paragliding when the glider failed to lift properly during take-off and crashed shortly after. The incident was confirmed by Kangra District Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) Hitesh Lakhanpal, who stated that the accident happened at the Indrunag paragliding site, a well-known location for the sport.

According to authorities, both Satish and the pilot, Suraj, sustained injuries in the crash. Satish suffered serious trauma to his head, mouth, and other parts of his body. He was initially treated at the Zonal Hospital in Dharamshala but was later referred to Tanda Medical College due to the severity of his injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries late that night. The pilot, Suraj, is currently undergoing treatment at Bala Ji Hospital in Kangra.

Additional SP Lakhanpal mentioned that Satish's family members have been informed about the incident, and his body will be handed over to them after a post-mortem examination is conducted. The tragedy has shocked the local community and highlighted ongoing concerns over paragliding safety in the region.

This accident marks the second fatal paragliding incident at the Indrunag site within the past six months. In January, another tourist from Ahmedabad, 19-year-old Bhavsar Khushi, died in a similar accident when her paraglider crashed during take-off. Her pilot also sustained injuries in that incident. The repeated nature of these accidents has raised serious concerns among authorities and the public alike.

The local police are now investigating possible violations of safety protocols and paragliding norms in both incidents. Additional SP Lakhanpal confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway to determine whether negligence or improper adherence to safety guidelines contributed to the crashes. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the paragliding operators at Indrunag were maintaining the necessary standards for safe operation, especially during monsoon season when weather conditions can be highly unpredictable and dangerous.

In response to these recurring safety issues and to prevent further tragedies, the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, Haimraj Bairwa, has imposed a complete ban on all paragliding activities across the district. This includes popular tourist sites such as Bir Billing, which is globally recognized as a top paragliding destination. The ban will remain in effect until September 15, aligning with the monsoon season when weather conditions are typically unstable and unsafe for such adventure sports.

The recent events have intensified the debate about adventure tourism safety in Himachal Pradesh. While paragliding attracts thousands of thrill-seeking tourists every year, the lack of stringent regulation and adherence to safety standards poses significant risks. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of enforcing strict safety measures and ensuring that adventure sport operators are held accountable for the security and lives of their customers.