Paraglider dies in crash

A paraglider died despite a battle to revive him after he plummeted more than 100ft and crashed into a hillside on the Shropshire-Wales border.

The victim, who has not yet been named, suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the accident at White Grit, Corndon Hill, near Minsterley, yesterday afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Claire Thomas said the accident had happened on the east side of Corndon Hill at about 3.20pm.

A local first responder who saw the paraglider fall from the sky arrived within three minutes of the alarm being raised.

She said an ambulance incident support officer was also sent and the air ambulance which was scrambled from Cosford.

She added: "The pilot dropped off the crew at the top of the hill and they quickly made their way down to meet the community first responder and the patient.

"The paraglider, a man, had suffered very serious multiple injuries in the crash and was being treated by the community first responder when the air ambulance crew arrived.

"Those there said the man had been more than 100ft up when he seemed to get into trouble and descended very quickly, landing heavily."

The medical crews continued giving the man heart massage and the kiss-of-life but despite their efforts the air ambulance doctor pronounced him dead at the scene.

Inspector Nigel Humphreys, of West Mercia Police, said officers had received a call at 3.35pm to say that a paraglider had crashed and suffered a broken leg, a broken hip and serious head injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police were subsequently informed of the incident.

Inspector Derek Edwards, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said a mountain rescue team was called in to recover the body. He added: "The indications are that the victim was a man who lived outside the area."

Mark Dale, of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, said an investigation was being carried out.

By Simon Hardy and Catherine Roche