FAI/CIVL press release, Paris, 16th July 1998

Paragliding Mid Air Collision 16 July 1998

Piedrahita is one of the best areas in Europe for paragliing and many pilots visit the town each year. This year Piedrahita is host to the 1998 European Paragliding Championships and many of the World's top pilots are competing. After 4 successful days flying, the 5th day was marred by a fatal accident.

Marko Malovrh (Slovenia) and Zolt Hegmegi (Sweden) had a mid air collision shortly after take off. Unfortunately this happened close to the mountain of Pena Negra and neither pilot had time to use their reserve parachute and crahsed into the mountain. Steve Ham, the competition director controlled and co-ordinated the rescue operation quickly and effectively. The emergency rescue services were called immediately and first aid teams were with both casualties within minutes. The casualties wre checked and stabiliised. A doctor was with them within half and hour and helicopters and paramedics in approximately one hour. Both pilots sustained severe injuries. Zolt Hegmegi had fractures to his right thigh and left ankle and pain in his back and chest. Marko Malovrh had fractures to a leg and an arm. After being checked and stabilised by doctors and paramedics the injured pilots were transferred to the helicopters and it was after this that Marko Malovrh went into cardiac arrest. The medical team worked on him for 45 minutes but were unable to revive him. A post mortem is being carried out to establish the exact cause of death (and later concluded that death was due to mutliple trauma). Zolt Hegmegi was helicoptered to a hospital in Madrid and is in intensive care.

Steve Ham, the competition director, his staff and other qualified persons at the scene of the accident did everything within their resources to deal with the situation quickly and effectively. The organisers, FAI officials and pilots are very saddened and concerned about this accident. However, the Slovenian team feel that Marko would probably want the competition to continue in the spirit of free flying and support the competitors decision whateer that may be (which was to have a memorial rest day and fly down).

Thanks to all those who assisted, in particular; Steve Ham (Competitions Director), Stewart Owen (Organisation), Christa the Australian Nurse, Lawrence Chambers (South Africa), Anneke and Annette (Sweden), Maja Walthek (Switzerland), Stewart Midwinter (Canada), Dave Wootton (UK, Photograher), and Nick Dolan (Organisation).

With three days of competition to go the Swiss Team are in the lead, with Italy's Jimmy Pacher in first place and France's Sandie Cochepain leading the female ranking. The new European Paragliding Champions will be declared late Sunday night (19/7/98).

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