Tragedy hits Paragliding World Championships 2011
Two die in separate incidents. Next of kin have been informed
• Mads Syndergaard Blog, 7/7/2011: Our darkest day
• Mads Syndergaard Blog, 7/7/2011: Mads leaves
Eitel von Muhlenbrock, left, and Francisco Vargas. Photo: lacuarta.cl / jornadaonline.com
Tragedy struck the Paragliding World Championships in Spain today, 6 July, when two pilots died in separate incidents. Next of kin have been informed.
The first incident occurred at about 2pm when Argentinean pilot Francisco Vargas, 50, crashed near Piedrahita.
Spanish media report that the Civil Guard was called for the pilot who was unconscious following the fall. Mountain rescue and a helicopter were called to the scene. Attempts to revive the pilot proved unsuccessful.
The second incident happened at 4pm when Chilean pilot Eitel von Muhlenbrock, 45, crashed 10km from Avila, close to the N-110 road. Emergency services attended the pilot who was reported to be unconscious.
A helicopter and an emergency medical crew was despatched to the scene. Doctors reported that the pilot, aged 45, died at the scene.
Organisers of the competition, the biggest event of the paragliding calendar issued a statement this evening.
It reads in full:
6 July 2011, Piedrahita
It is with great regret that the organisers have to announce that there were two serious accidents during the competition task today. The first accident occurred at approximately 14.00. Argentinian pilot, Francisco Vargas crashed into the hillside a few kilometres from launch. Emergency services were called to the site, but the pilot died at the scene.
The second accident occurred at approximately 16.00 in the Avila area. Chilean pilot Eitel von Muhlenbrock lost control of his paraglider and crashed. Emergency Services arrived swiftly, but the pilot died from his injuries.
Next of kin of both pilots have been informed.
We do not yet know the cause of either of the accidents, but an investigation to determine the sequence of events is already underway by the event organisers, together with Safety representatives of the FAI and the local police. As soon as we have further information, we will issue another statement.
There were three further minor incidents today, involving the deployment of reserve parachutes. All three pilots landed safely and were uninjured.
The organisers wish to extend their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of both Francisco Vargas and Eitel von Muhlenbrock.
Jose Luiz – Event Director
Steve Ham – Competition Director
News of a possible accident was first revealed online by those watching the live tracking.
Posters on the paraglidingforum.com saw Ronny Helgesen’s live track plummet.
Alarm spread quickly and Worlds organisers asked the forum to stop people posting and to hold back from discussing the incidents.
CIVL Secretary Louise Joselyn asked paragliding media including XCmag to wait until a statement was prepared to avoid the spread of “misinformation”.
However, Spanish media reported the accidents widely online.
The deaths are the worst outcome for a competition that had hoped to showcase paragliding at its best, promising fast racing across the flatlands of Spain.
Cross Country extends its sincere condolences to the families of Francisco and Eitel. The pilots were loved and valued members of the wider family of pilots around the globe. A photograph of Eitel is on Flickr here.
We will report more news here when we can. Comments are open below for those who would like to leave a personal message.
• Got news? Send it to us at news@xcmag.com
Related posts:
- Paragliding World Championships 2011: Mads leaves The morning meeting is just over, and as expected most teams were for continuing the event. ...
- Paragliding World Championships 2011: Statement and update The organisers of the Paragliding World Championships 2011 in Piedrahita have released a further statement...
- Paragliding World Championships 2011: Our darkest day Mads Syndergaard reports from Piedrahita, where two pilots died during task 2 on Wednesday 6 July...
- Paragliding World Championships 2011: CANCELLED The 2011 Paragliding World Championships has been cancelled after two tasks...
- Paragliding World Championships 2011: Task 1: Mads makes 70km… Keen readers will have worked out that I didn't make goal today, writes Mads Syndergaard...
- Paragliding World Championships: Stopped by the FAI The Paragliding World Championships 2011 have been temporarily stopped...
- Paragliding World Championships 2011: British Team pilot resigns A British Paragliding Team member has resigned over two-line glider safety...
- Paragliding World Championships 2011: Registration and who’s who Mads Syndergaard keeps cool at the four-hour check in – first task is today...
Tags: Competition, Paragliding World Championships 2011, Piedrahita, Spain
July 6th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I am so sorry about happened and my condolences to their families…angels go quick to heaven
July 6th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
May both Tato and Etiel rest in peace. The left us doing what they loved best. My condolences to their families.
July 7th, 2011 at 12:07 am
Our deepest sympathy to family and friends of both pilots from Pilots Agnes and Eugene IHPA Ireland.
July 7th, 2011 at 12:10 am
Our deepest sympathy to family and.friends of both pilots from Agnes and Eugene IHPA Irl.
July 8th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
is there a fund set up for these families where people can donate to?
July 10th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
CIVL should be disbanded and each and every member should face criminal charges related to these deaths and the sanctioning of unsafe, uncertified gliders in a world competition. Each member of CIVl has blood on their hands that won’t ever wash off!
July 12th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
This bad new saddens everyone the free flight but all pilots with a big experience who choose to fly with uncertified competition gliders are aware of risks. Also, it’s not a secret that flying conditions can be very strong on sites like Piedrahita. Look at the experience of these two guys, they knew where they went when they left their country.
Also, a pilot have always the choose to stop when he feels to be too close to its limits. Search the guilty to our own mistakes is typical of a society that seeks the thrills but sanitized of any risk. We choose our lives and what we have to live, let the lawyers and judges outside of this sad new.
Personally I will continue to fly my competition glider with which I feel as safe as a certified wing less efficient and slower.
Sympathy to family.
Fly safe.
July 25th, 2011 at 9:10 am
My condolences to the families and friends.
I am a hang and paraglider pilot. I’ve been flying just over a decade and I am always amazed and disconcerted with deaths at competitions because I think they are often the most avoidable. I have witnessed a tragedy similar to what just recently happened. I think those running the competitions need to really think twice on whether conditions are appropriate for flying and flying competitively! I have served on task committees in competitions that I was also flying in. I have been amazed at the lack of recognition by other comp pilots also on task committees that a particular day is just plain dangerous to have pilots in the air. Cancel the day, cancel the comp for goodness sakes. Just recently here in Korea on a day in a small comp there were 5 reserves thrown…really?! Why is a competition running on a day when you have that many reserves being thrown?
This is just a plea to those that serve and will serve on a comp task committee. It’s ok to call a day off…even when the adrenaline filled “macho” pilots claim that the day is “fine”!
It’s always better being on the ground wishing you were in the air…