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.
