Gujarat Tourist Dies in Paragliding Crash Near Dharamshala
National News: A tragic paragliding accident in the Indru Nag region near Dharamshala has claimed the life of a 27-year-old tourist from Gujarat, once again drawing attention to serious safety lapses in the adventure sports sector in Himachal Pradesh. The victim, identified as Satish Rajesh, was on a tandem paragliding flight with pilot Suraj when their glider lost stability shortly after takeoff and plunged into a deep ditch. The incident took place on Sunday and was captured on video—footage that has since gone viral on social media, amplifying public concern.
Satish sustained critical injuries and was initially rushed to the Zonal Hospital in Dharamshala before being referred to Tanda Medical College in Kangra. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries on Monday. The pilot also sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
Additional Superintendent of Police Hitesh Lakhanpal confirmed the fatality and stated that Satish’s family has been informed. His body will be handed over after the postmortem process concludes. A probe has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the crash. The Station House Officer (SHO) of the local police station is leading the investigation, while the state tourism department has also been asked to conduct an internal safety audit.
Still don’t get how people trust adventure sports in India. Another life lost in Indrunag Dharamshala — 25 year old Satish from Gujarat. Just months ago a 19 year old girl lost her life at the same spot. The site was closed till September, but flights were still taking place. pic.twitter.com/fPv4XujHzf
— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) July 14, 2025
The fatal crash occurred just days before the seasonal suspension of all adventure sports in the region, including paragliding, which comes into effect from July 15 due to the monsoon. This annual ban is imposed to reduce the risks posed by unpredictable weather conditions during the rainy season.
This isn’t the first fatal accident at the Indru Nag Paragliding Site. In January 2024, Khushi Bhavsar, another tourist from Gujarat, lost her life after falling during a tandem flight from the same location. That same month, two other individuals also died in separate paragliding mishaps in the region.
Statistics show that more than 12 people have died in paragliding accidents across Himachal Pradesh in the past two and a half years. Authorities have attributed many of these incidents to free-fliers—independent flyers who venture into high-risk zones or unfamiliar terrain without adequate knowledge of local wind behavior and geography.
The latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols, better pilot training, and stringent oversight of licensed adventure operators. As paragliding continues to draw thrill-seekers to the scenic hills of Himachal, calls for reform are growing louder from both locals and tourism officials.
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