Bir (Rajeev Sharma): Another serious accident has shaken the adventure tourism community at Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh after a paragliding flight ended in tragedy on Friday. An experienced pilot lost his life when the paraglider he was operating reportedly failed moments after launch, while the tourist flying with him sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.
Officials said the tandem flight had taken off from the Billing launch site when the glider developed a sudden imbalance in the air. The aircraft descended rapidly and crashed near a roadway close to the take-off zone, drawing immediate attention from locals and other pilots in the area.
The pilot, Mohan Singh, a resident of Barot in Mandi district, was critically injured in the fall. Singh was known among fellow flyers as a seasoned professional who had spent years working in the region’s paragliding sector. The tourist seated with him during the flight suffered injuries but was reported to be stable and out of immediate danger.
Both were rushed to the Baijnath Civil Hospital by nearby residents and rescue volunteers. Due to the seriousness of the pilot’s condition, doctors advised shifting him to the Tanda medical college for specialised care. However, delays caused by traffic congestion on the way proved costly, and Singh succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital. The accident also led to temporary traffic disruption on the Baijnath–Palampur road.
Confirming the incident, local administration officials said the crash took place shortly after take-off and that the injured tourist was safe. Authorities stated that all required procedures were being followed in connection with the incident.
Police have initiated an investigation to establish the exact circumstances leading to the crash. They are examining whether technical defects, operational issues or external conditions played a role. The paragliding equipment involved is likely to be inspected, and statements from witnesses and operators are being collected.
The fatal crash has once again brought the spotlight on safety measures at Bir Billing, a globally recognised paragliding destination. With thousands of adventure enthusiasts visiting the site annually, calls are growing for stricter checks, regular equipment audits and stronger emergency response systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
