Emergency services in Catalonia scrambled three fire crews and two medical teams to a paragliding accident on Wednesday afternoon, but could not save the 63-year-old British man who had reportedly become tangled in power lines before hitting the ground.
The accident happened in the Palau de Noguera area, near the town of Tremp, at about 1.30pm local time. Firefighters from Tremp and Sort stations were activated after a call at 1.20pm, according to a spokesperson for the regional government. They searched the area and found the man seriously injured, providing first aid until two crews from the Emergency Medical Service arrived.
“British man, 63, dies in paragliding accident in Catalonia after reportedly hitting power lines.”
Despite the efforts, the man later died. The UK Foreign Office said it was "supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain".
Local media reported that the paraglider appeared to have become entangled in power lines, though officials have not confirmed the cause of the accident. Police from the Mossos d'Esquadra are investigating, with five teams from citizen security and investigation units involved.
Palau de Noguera lies at the foothills of the Pyrenees, near the village of Àger, a base camp popular with paragliders and hang gliders. The area, home to just 637 inhabitants, attracts enthusiasts from across Europe.
Authorities were expected to inform the man's family through British consular channels. The man has not been publicly identified.