An elderly paragliding enthusiast has been found dead following a fall from cliffs above Praia da Bicas, Sesimbra, yesterday evening.
The accident happened as the Spanish man was ‘practising the sport’, say reports.
There is no full explanation of the sequence of events. Paragliding involves ‘getting airborne’ by launching off cliffs, so something obviously went very wrong.
Due to the time and the place where it ultimately fell, it was well into the night before the victim’s body could be recovered.
A source from Portugal’s Civil Protection has described the authorities involved as INEM (medical rescue), firefighters of Sesimbra and Cacilhas, Maritime Police and a special search and rescue rappelling team.
Maritime Police have mananged to recover the paragliding equipment, and the case has been passed to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The victim’s family has been offered psychological support.
Source: Lusa/ Rádio Renascença
