Hang-glider dies after hitting head on cliff ledge

April 01, 2007 12:29pm

Article from: AAP

A 49-year-old Sydney man has died in a 40m fall after his hang-glider struck trees during a descent off Mount Sugarloaf in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.

The man, an experienced hang-glider from Chatswood in Sydney's north, was on a flight with three fellow hang-gliders about 12.30pm (AEST) yesterday when his kite flared up in the wind and struck trees, police said.

He plunged 40m, sustaining severe head injuries when he struck the rocky ledge of a cliff.

One of his fellow hang-gliders came to his aid and began performing CPR, but police say his "horrific" head injuries meant it was unlikely they would have been able to help.

The Westpac Helicopter was called and they pronounced the man dead at the scene.

The man had 20 years hang-gliding experience.

An post-mortem examination will be performed and detectives are preparing a brief of evidence for the coroner.

The Hang Gliding Federation of Australia is assisting police with inquiries.