GEORGE NEWS - A 59-year-old local paragliding student died of a heart attack while flying above the Map of Africa in Wilderness on Sunday 19 November. 

The student from the Wilderness area was enjoying one of his last five remaining paragliding licence flights, when he died. 

According to the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association's (Sahpa) marketing and communications officer, Tracey King, witnesses saw the man slumped in uncontrolled flight before he flew into bushes next to a house. 

Fellow pilots performed CPR on him before being relieved by a paramedic. 

"The student had completed 30 flights under the guidance of a registered instructor and was flying in the company of other students, instructors and visiting pilots on what was reported to be a perfect day for flying. 

"He was five flights short of completing his basic paragliding licence. 

"Sahpa extends their sincere condolences to his family and friends. Fly forever free, our friend," King said. 

The Map of Africa is known as a safe flying site with a fantastic view overlooking the tranquil Indian Ocean. 

It is a firm favourite among paragliding schools from across the world.

ARTICLE: KRISTY KOLBERG, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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