Paragliding Accident

Hi, I heared the terrible news: Mike Yost (paragliding pilot and distributor of the Fly paramotor products) had an accident flying an advance wing, crushed and died. Did anyone heared any news? He had 6+ years experience. Is there any data base on the net for paragliders with and without the motors. Please post and send me direct.

???

A news search brought this up . . .

ANKARA, Sept 17 (Reuter) - A Turkish paraglider crashed on Wednesday during the World Air Games in western Turkey and was in serious condition in hospital, a spokesman for the competition organisers said.

''I can confirm that the pilot is in hospital, apparently with a damaged neck or spine,'' spokesman Atul Dev told Reuters.

''We don't know exactly what happened, he took off normally but crashed on landing and injured himself.''

The paraglider was identified as Abdulkadir Koksal. The accident took place in Denizli province.

Two competitors have died so far. An Indonesian microlight pilot died last week during a practice session. A Ukrainian paraglider died on Monday after crashing into rocks during his descent.

Over 50 countries are competing in the games, organised by the International Aeronautical Federation, in sports such as ballooning, gliding, parachuting, hang-gliding and microlight flying at various locations in Turkey.

Paragliding involves leaping off mountains or hills with an already opened parachute.

11:07 09-17-97>Hi, I heared the terrible news:

I remember being told by a witness that Mike Yost died at the Dumps near Pacifica California. I was told that he was on an advanced wing and flew into the cliffs after he suffer a collapse or something of that nature.

If I remember right this occurred up to 10 years ago. I know that I was Paragliding in San Diego when I was told of his death and I last paraglided there no later than about 2000. I think it was more like 1998. If you contact the Bay Area Paragliding Association they can probably recall the details.

I only met him a few times but I remember that he was always pleasant to be around. I'm very sorry he had to leave us.

Matt