Brit tourist, 22, plunges to death in horror paragliding crash after parachute fails

Tourists paragliding from the top of Babadag mountain (Image: Getty Images)

A British tourist and his pilot tragically fell thousands of feet to their deaths when their parachute failed during a horrifying paragliding accident. The unidentified Brit had embarked on an exhilarating flight from the 6,500ft Babadag mountain in Fethiye, Turkey, under the supervision of his pilot on Wednesday morning.

However, shortly after their 11.45am takeoff, the duo's parachute malfunctioned, causing the 22 and 29 year olds to plunge to their deaths on the jagged rocks lining the mountainside, according to Turkish media reports. The pair were pronounced dead at the scene after other paragliders raised the alarm, leading to the suspension of flights in the area following the distressing incident.

Authorities have reportedly initiated an investigation into the fatal accident, with experts set to scrutinise the crash site and the paragliding equipment used prior to the tragic event. As the inquiry continues, the bodies have been transported to a local mortuary.

While these are not the first fatalities at this popular paragliding location, Turkish investigators have found that the number of deaths is relatively low compared to the volume of flights. A 2023 study by the Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine revealed that out of 241,420 paraglider flights departing from the mountainous region, only 44 have resulted in documented accidents, reports  The Mirror.

The Brit tourist died after falling from a popular paragliding spot (Image: undefined)

Out of those mishaps, only three proved fatal, with the bulk being "of low severity". Another British national, Frank Lally, was also among the fatalities after a paragliding accident from the same launch point as the unidentified Brit. The 62 year old tragically lost his life when he courageously attempted the leap from Babadag during a holiday. He too collided with the mountainside shortly after takeoff. Despite prompt attention from emergency services and swift transportation to Fethiye state hospital, his life could not be saved by medical staff.

In a separate incident in April 2023, Turkish native Orkut Baysal perished following a jump from the landing platform while practising with Andaç Ünsal. The pair jumped together with 45 year old British paraglider Thomas Aitken, resulting in a mid-air collision during their descent.

Their entanglement led to a harrowing crash into a hotel, before plummeting to the brink of a swimming pool, prompting local residents to call for emergency assistance. Mr Baysal was pronounced deceased at the site of the accident, whereas Mr Aitken and Mr Ünsal were rushed to Fethiye State Hospital. The hospital authorities later reported that the two injured paragliders had recuperated from the aerial ordeal.