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Tag: Antonis Kourras

  • 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.

  • 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.