Paragliding launch at Billing, India, October 2008. Photo: Ed Ewing
The Himalayan Open in Billing, Bir, India, has been cancelled following the death of a Russian pilot in the area, according to local news reports. Another pilot has been missing for a week.
According to the reports Russian pilot ‘Elliyayudin’ died on 27 October while attempting to rescue a fellow pilot who had crashed while flying between Bir and Dharamsala. Elliyayudin was part of a ground-based pilot-organised rescue squad when he slipped and fell from a cliff.
The missing Russian pilot, Alexey Ashurov, 41, went missing on 23 October and has not been heard from since.
Reports from the Indo-Asian News Service list at least three other pilots who have crashed and been rescued.
The incidents provoked a strong reaction from the Himachel Pradesh state government, which clashed with the organisers of the Himalayan Open over the accidents and forced the closure of the main paragliding launch to free flying, according to Open organisers.
The state government accused Himalayan Open organisers of not following proper safety measures and not being registered with the Himachal Pradesh Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, which they said is a legal requirement of holding competition in the state.
Organisers in turn accused the state government of “non cooperation”.
Himalayan Open organiser Suresh Thakur is quoted in reports saying: “We have decided to cancel the Himalayan Paragliding Open 2009 that was to start November 4.
“The decision in this regard was taken following the non-cooperation of the state government in holding the event.”
He added: “Our objective (to hold the event) was just to promote adventure tourism in the state. Since the government was not serious, we too decided to cancel it,” he said.
Some 140 pilots have registered to take part in the competition. The Open had been organised following the cancellation of the Pre-PWC event that was to have taken place in October.
An email from Himalayan Open organisers to registered pilots on 29 October read: “We are sincerely sorry to inform that due to ‘political reasons’ the state government has refused to support the Himalayan Paragliding Open 2009 – Pre-World Cup event and hence the organizers have no choice but to cancel the event.”
The email added: “The state government and the tourism department have even banned free-flying in Bir-Billing.”
Pilots in the area who know anything about the circumstances surrounding the missing pilot Alexey Ashurov are encouraged to leave their information on the comments form at the bottom of this story. Information will be passed on to the relevant authorities.
Likewise, if any pilot can add to or correct the facts in this report – which has been drawn from several news reports online and not from sources on the ground – please use the comments box below.
