Paraglider crashes on building near Jogindernagar, pilot seriously injured

In a disturbing reminder of ongoing safety violations in Bir-Billing, a paraglider crash-landed on a building near Jogindernagar this morning, leaving the pilot seriously injured. The incident occurred around noon when Vijay Kumar, a resident of Bihar, lost control of his glider due to bad weather and high-velocity winds. Vijay had taken off from Billing at 9.30 am, with a scheduled landing at the Chogan site near Bir after a three-hour flight. However, weather disturbances led him astray and he drifted towards Jahalan village near Jogindernagar, where his paraglider crash-landed on the rooftop of a house. Local residents rushed to the scene and quickly transported him to the Civil Hospital in Jogindernagar. Due to the severity of his injuries, including multiple fractures, he was later referred to Tanda Medical College for advanced treatment. Vijay Kumar, who works for a multinational company, had been residing in Bir for the past two years. Paragliding activities are officially banned during inclement weather, yet many operators in Bir-Billing continue to defy these safety regulations. — OC

Himachal Tribune