Man plunges to his death after launch from 5,580ft height in holiday hotspot

Vyacheslav Gribanov (Image: EAST2WEST)

A daredevil extreme sport speed flyer crashed to his death while on holiday in Turkey. Vyacheslav Gribanov, 37, launched from 5,580ft on Babadağ mountain, near Fethiye, but lost control and smashed into rocks, according to reports.

The Russian is the third to die in recent weeks while free flying in the Ölüdeniz area on the Turkish Riviera. The 37-year-old was an experienced paraglider but had recently made the switch to the far more extreme and dangerous style of speed flying. He had been training with an instructor to learn the new high-speed style in the weeks leading up to the fall.

Vyacheslav Gribanov died after the fall (Image: EAST2WEST)

The type of flying uses a smaller wing or canopy and often involves descents far quicker and faster than regular paragliding, with flyers often reaching speeds of up to 95mph while hovering just above the ground.

Gribanov was flying solo and shortly after his launch in the air, lost control of his glider before falling to the ground.

An investigation is underway to understand what went wrong in the air, with authorities now searching for his onboard camera, which was lost in the crash.

Gribanov, a St Petersburg native, owned a construction company in his home town and was taking a trip to western Turkey for a holiday.

The coast has become a hotspot for deaths related to gliding, with a German and a Polish tourist dying during descents in the area in recent weeks. The number of deaths is described as “unusual”.