A British national, aged 63, has died in a paragliding accident in the north-eastern Catalonia region of Spain. Authorities confirmed the fatality occurred in the Palau de Noguera area, near the town of Tremp, on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 13:30 local time (14:30 BST). Rescuers located the man seriously injured and provided immediate first aid. Despite their efforts and the subsequent arrival of medical teams, he sadly passed away at the scene.
The area surrounding Palau de Noguera, particularly near Àger, is renowned as a popular destination for paragliding and hang-gliding enthusiasts, owing to its proximity to the Pyrenees mountain range. The rugged landscape and favourable wind conditions attract adventurers from across Europe, including many British nationals seeking outdoor pursuits.
While the precise cause of the accident has not been officially confirmed by authorities, local media reports have suggested the man may have become entangled in power lines before impacting the ground. Catalan government officials stated that three fire brigades and two medical teams attended the scene, alongside five teams from the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's main police force, who are conducting an investigation.
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing support to the family of the deceased British man during this difficult time. Consular channels are expected to be used to formally inform the man's family, according to local Spanish media. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with extreme sports, even in popular and seemingly well-established locations.