Brother’s tribute to paraglide victim
Wednesday 12th August 2009, 11:22AM BST.
The brother of a paraglider pilot killed in a mid-air crash in Shropshire today paid tribute to an “adventurous and independent guy”.
Stephen Paul Allen, 49, of Llantwitmajor, Vale of Glamorgan, was involved in a collision with another paraglider pilot over the Long Mynd on Saturday afternoon.
Bob Allen, his older brother, today paid tribute.
He said: “Stephen was an independent guy, he went off and did what he wanted to do. He was adventurous, he was a potholer before he was a paraglider, he did that for many years.
“He used to travel Europe as a roadie doing lighting and sound for big bands.”
The other paraglider pilot, who was named by colleagues as Dennis Wray from the Dales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club in Yorkshire, was today said to be in a stable condition at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham.
He was treated for fractured limbs and pelvic injuries. It is believed both paraglider pilots hit the ground hard.
The accident happened in front of hundreds of people on a public road close to the Long Mynd in Church Stretton.
The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association and police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Richard Ewels, police spokesman, said a post-mortem examination was due to be held on Mr Allen today.
An inquest is due to open this week.
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