Severe turbulence led to paraglider crash, says pilot

The pilot of a paraglider that crashed causing serious injury said the turbulence he encountered while flying was the “most aggressive” he had experienced in 14 years.

When the paraglider crashed near Lough Bray Lower in Co Wicklow on April 18 last year, the pilot sustained a concussion, several pelvic fractures, a dislocated shoulder and a compound fracture of the humerus which required surgery.

The passenger, who had bought a flight coupon on the internet, had two broken ribs, a punctured lung and a fractured bone in his hand. Because the flight did not have formal Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) flying club approval, air accident investigators said it could not be considered a private flight under existing legislation.