Tag: accident

  • Handball team — Cyprus’ Honorary Consul Visits Handball Team After Bus Crash in Estonia

    Handball team — Cyprus’ Honorary Consul Visits Handball Team After Bus Crash in Estonia

    handball team — Cyprus’ honorary consul in Tallinn, Jaanus Rahumagi, met with the men’s national handball team following their involvement in a serious road traffic accident. The team was in Estonia for a fixture when their bus overturned during the early hours of Sunday morning.

    The incident occurred as the team was travelling from the capital, Tallinn, to the southeastern town of Polva, where they were scheduled to compete against the Estonian national team. According to the Cypriot embassy in Helsinki, which manages relations with Estonia, Rahumagi expressed his support for the team and conveyed wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured players.

    Fortunately, the handball federation reported that while no team members sustained serious injuries, two individuals were taken to hospital for treatment. In light of the accident, the match against Estonia has been postponed. This fixture was part of the qualification process for the upcoming European men’s handball championship, set to take place in 2028.

    Prior to the crash, Cyprus had faced a challenging start in the qualification campaign, having lost the first leg against Estonia 31-27 in Nicosia just a week earlier. The postponement of this match adds another layer of complexity to their qualification efforts.

    As the team focuses on recovery and regrouping after this unexpected ordeal, the support from diplomatic figures like Rahumagi highlights the importance of solidarity in times of crisis, reinforcing the bond between Cyprus and its athletes abroad.

  • Kindness Turns Tragic: 63-Year-Old Man Injured in Car Park Incident

    Kindness Turns Tragic: 63-Year-Old Man Injured in Car Park Incident

    car park — A 63-year-old man is fighting for his life in intensive care after a series of unlikely coincidences turned a simple act of kindness into a critical injury. The incident unfolded in a shopping centre car park in Nicosia yesterday at around 11:30 a.m., as reported by local police.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    After parking his vehicle, the man noticed a woman struggling to park next to him. In a gesture of goodwill, he approached her to offer assistance. However, the situation took a dramatic turn as he attempted to enter his own car.

    Preliminary investigations by Nicosia Traffic Police revealed that the vehicle was still running at the time. As he tried to get into the car, he inadvertently stepped on the accelerator pedal while his body remained partially outside. The sudden movement caused the driver’s door to swing violently, striking his parked vehicle and then hitting his neck with considerable force.

    The impact was severe, and the man collapsed immediately after being struck. Emergency services were called to the scene, and he was quickly transported to a nearby hospital. Medical staff acted swiftly, intubating him upon arrival. Reports from the hospital indicate that his condition is extremely critical, and he remains under close observation in intensive care.

    Authorities have described the incident as unprecedented, citing the extraordinary series of coincidences that led to this tragic outcome. Nicosia Traffic Police have begun gathering statements from witnesses, including the woman he attempted to assist, as part of their investigation.

    This unfortunate event has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the unpredictable nature of accidents and how quickly circumstances can spiral out of control, even during simple acts of kindness.

  • Right Lane of Limassol-Nicosia Highway Reopens After Car Overturns

    Right Lane of Limassol-Nicosia Highway Reopens After Car Overturns

    The right lane of the Limassol-Nicosia highway reopened to traffic at around 8am on Monday, following a temporary closure caused by a car overturning near the Kornos area.

    • The right lane of the Limassol-Nicosia highway reopened to traffic at around 8am on Monday, following a temporary closure caused by a car overturning near the Kornos area.
    • By 8am, the vehicle had been cleared, and traffic resumed its normal flow along this busy highway.

    Police reported that the vehicle overturned and came to a stop in the right lane at approximately 7am. Officers were quickly dispatched to the scene to provide assistance, manage traffic, and arrange for the car’s removal using a tow truck.

    By 8am, the vehicle had been cleared, and traffic resumed its normal flow along this busy highway.

    Authorities took the opportunity to remind drivers to exercise caution while using the road network. Police emphasised the importance of following the highway code and complying with traffic signals to prevent future accidents.

  • Fire Brigade Rescues Man After Fall from Two Storeys

    Fire Brigade Rescues Man After Fall from Two Storeys

    two storeys — An injured man who fell from a two-storey building in Aradippou was rescued by the fire brigade on Tuesday afternoon.

    • two storeys — An injured man who fell from a two-storey building in Aradippou was rescued by the fire brigade on Tuesday afternoon.
    • The local fire brigade has not released further details about the man's condition following the incident, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fall are ongoing.

    At 1.02 PM, emergency services received a call regarding an incident involving a man attempting to climb into a room of the building using a ladder. Unfortunately, during his attempt, he lost his footing and fell, resulting in injuries.

    The fire brigade promptly dispatched a vehicle and a team to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the man in need of immediate assistance. Rescuers worked swiftly to secure him to a stretcher before transporting him to Larnaca General Hospital’s Accident and Emergency department for treatment.

    The local fire brigade has not released further details about the man’s condition following the incident, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fall are ongoing.

  • Investigations Underway After Fatal Larnaca Paramotor Crash

    Investigations Underway After Fatal Larnaca Paramotor Crash

    larnaca paramotor — larnaca paramotor — The fatal crash of a paramotor glider in Kiti, Larnaca district, has prompted investigations by police and the Cyprus Air Accident and Incident Investigation Board. The crash, which occurred on Thursday morning, claimed the life of 31-year-old Antonis Kourras from Nicosia.

    The incident unfolded at a beach known as “Parasolia,” where Kourras’s glider struck a rock, resulting in instant death. A friend flying nearby witnessed the event and reported to authorities that Kourras appeared to lose altitude, suggesting a malfunction in the parachute.

    Larnaca paramotor: Ongoing Investigations

    Both the police and the investigation board are delving into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The board has secured the paramotor equipment to assess possible technical defects and adverse wind conditions. Antonis Antoniou, president of the board, indicated that while a preliminary inspection of the glider had been performed, further testing is necessary to determine the cause.

    “There could be an issue with the paraglider, there could have been a problem with the wind in that area, or there could be another factor we are trying to identify,” Antoniou explained. The investigation is expected to take several weeks and will involve interviews with witnesses and detailed checks on the glider’s components.

    Safety and Regulations

    Authorities are also investigating the provenance of the gliders used by Kourras and his friend. Initial findings suggest they owned the equipment, but verification of its legal importation is underway. Antoniou highlighted the importance of adherence to safety regulations, noting that the sport carries inherent risks, particularly due to its dependence on wind conditions.

    “If something goes wrong, an accident can happen easily,” he stated, emphasising the need for pilots to follow legislation regarding designated flying zones, undertake proper training, inspect their gear, and respect safe flying times.

    Medical Findings

    A post-mortem examination conducted at Nicosia General Hospital confirmed that Kourras succumbed to multiple injuries affecting his body and vital organs. This tragic event marks the third paramotor accident in Cyprus over the past five years, with previous incidents in 2020 and 2021 resulting in injuries to pilots.

  • Paragliding accident — Paragliding accident: Autopsy Confirms Cause of Death in Kiti Paragliding Tragedy

    Paragliding accident — Paragliding accident: Autopsy Confirms Cause of Death in Kiti Paragliding Tragedy

    paragliding accident — The paragliding accident that claimed the life of 31-year-old Antonis Kourras on Thursday morning in Kiti has been confirmed to be caused by multiple injuries, as revealed by an autopsy conducted the following day.

    • The autopsy was performed by forensic pathologists Angeliki Papetta and Orthodoxos Orthodoxou at Nicosia General Hospital, confirming the severity of the injuries sustained.

    Kourras, a resident of Anayia in Nicosia, tragically lost control of his motorised paraglider while flying at a low altitude above the sea in the Parasolia area. He crashed onto rocks near the shoreline, and despite the prompt arrival of ambulance crews, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The autopsy was performed by forensic pathologists Angeliki Papetta and Orthodoxos Orthodoxou at Nicosia General Hospital, confirming the severity of the injuries sustained.

    Authorities have since initiated parallel investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Officers from Kiti police station and members of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Board (AAIIB) are actively involved in the inquiries.

    Chairman of the AAIIB, Antonis Antoniou, stated that a preliminary inspection of the glider has been conducted. He noted that the cause of the accident could potentially stem from either a malfunction of the machine or the adverse weather conditions, particularly the strong winds reported in the area at the time.

    “There may or may not have been a problem with the machine, or the accident could have been linked to the strong winds in the area at the time,” Antoniou explained. “It is also possible there was another factor, which we are trying to identify.” He cautioned that the investigation will require time to thoroughly examine various parameters and gather information from witnesses.

    In light of the rising popularity of paragliding and paramotoring, Antoniou emphasised the importance of adhering to safety regulations. “Essentially, the pilot relies on the wind, and if something goes wrong, an accident can easily happen. In recent years, interest in the sport has rocketed, which makes it all the more important that they follow regulations – using approved areas, undergoing proper training, checking their equipment, and being mindful of weather conditions.”

    Additionally, police spokesman Spyros Chrysostomou mentioned that investigators will be interviewing the individual who was flying alongside Kourras at the time of the incident to gather more insights into the circumstances of the tragic event.

  • Paramotor crash: Tragic Paraglider Crash Claims Life of 31-Year-Old in Larnaca

    Paramotor crash: Tragic Paraglider Crash Claims Life of 31-Year-Old in Larnaca

    paramotor crash — In a tragic turn of events, a 31-year-old man, Antonis Kourras, lost his life in a paramotor crash near Kiti, Larnaca, yesterday morning. The accident unfolded around 8:30 AM as Kourras was flying at low altitude over the sea with a friend, who was piloting a second paramotor.

    • The exact cause of death will be established through a post-mortem examination, which will provide further insight into the events of that fateful morning.

    Kourras, a resident of Anagyia village in Nicosia, had ventured to the Softades area with his companion to launch their engine-powered paragliders for a morning flight. Witnesses reported that both aircraft were navigating the coastal region when, under circumstances that are still being investigated, Kourras’s paramotor struck rocks approximately five metres from the shoreline.

    The impact was severe, resulting in Kourras’s immediate death. An ambulance was promptly summoned to the scene and transported him to Larnaca General Hospital, where his death was sadly confirmed by medical personnel.

    Local authorities, including members of the Kiti Police Station, responded quickly to the incident. They were joined by officials from the Committee on Aircraft Accidents and Incidents, who will conduct a thorough examination of the fatal paramotor. This committee aims to determine whether mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the crash.

    As part of the ongoing investigation, Kiti Police are expected to take a statement from Kourras’s flying companion once he is in a position to provide testimony. Officers will seek to ascertain details about the paragliders’ origins and whether the friend observed anything that could clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.

    The exact cause of death will be established through a post-mortem examination, which will provide further insight into the events of that fateful morning.

  • Tragic Accident: Man Dies After Losing Control of Paramotor Glider in Larnaca

    Tragic Accident: Man Dies After Losing Control of Paramotor Glider in Larnaca

    A 31-year-old man died on Thursday after losing control of his paramotor glider over Kiti, Larnaca. The individual has been identified as Antonis Kourras from the village of Anayia in Nicosia.

    • A 31-year-old man died on Thursday after losing control of his paramotor glider over Kiti, Larnaca. The individual has been identified as Antonis Kourras from the village of Anayia in Nicosia.
    • Authorities are continuing their inquiries to determine the factors that led to this tragic accident, which has left the local community in shock.

    At approximately 8.30am, Kourras was paragliding with a companion in the Parasolia area of Kiti when he encountered difficulties while flying at a low altitude. Witnesses reported that the glider suddenly lost control and plummeted towards the sea, crashing into rocks near the beach.

    Emergency services were alerted immediately. An ambulance arrived on the scene, and Kourras was transported to Larnaca General Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

    The police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Members of the air accident investigation committee were also dispatched to ascertain the cause of the fall.

    In a coordinated response, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) activated the ‘Nearchos’ search and rescue national plan shortly after receiving reports of an individual in danger at 9.05am. Search and rescue operations were conducted along the Mazotos coast.

    Authorities are continuing their inquiries to determine the factors that led to this tragic accident, which has left the local community in shock.

  • Tragic Paramotor Accident Claims Life of 31-Year-Old Near Larnaca Beach

    Tragic Paramotor Accident Claims Life of 31-Year-Old Near Larnaca Beach

    paramotor accident — A 31-year-old man has died following a paramotor accident near Parasolia beach in Kiti, according to local police reports. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 am on Thursday morning as Antonis Kourras was flying an engine-powered paraglider.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    Kourras was in the air with a friend, who was piloting a separate paramotor, when he reportedly lost control of his aircraft. The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation. It is understood that Kourras fell onto rocks near the beach, which likely contributed to the fatal outcome.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, but upon their arrival, it was confirmed that Kourras had already succumbed to his injuries. The second paramotor pilot, who remains unnamed, was unharmed during the incident.

    Both men had been camping in the Softades area of Kiti prior to their flight, enjoying what should have been a thrilling morning in the sky. The tragic accident has raised concerns among the local community and prompted police officers to conduct preliminary examinations at the site.

    The Aviation Accidents and Incidents Committee has been called in to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragic event. As Kourras’s family and friends mourn their loss, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with paramotoring, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in the sport.