Mounties in Alberta have reported a tragic incident involving a paraglider who lost his life in a mountain crash earlier this month. RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney confirmed that officers were called to a paragliding accident near Ha Ling Peak, a well-known mountain close to Canmore, shortly before noon on January 18. The male individual involved was pronounced deceased at the scene, with authorities emphasizing that the crash is not believed to be of a criminal nature but is currently under investigation.
In a recent interview, Slaney shared details of the incident, stating that emergency services, including a helicopter and EMS personnel, were already on-site when law enforcement arrived. RCMP officers managed traffic in the vicinity while Kananaskis Emergency Services attended to the injured male. Autopsy results are awaited as part of the investigative process.
According to Michael Plenits, press secretary for Alberta’s minister of forestry and parks, hang-gliding and paragliding activities are subject to federal regulations in the region. He highlighted the existence of two designated takeoff and landing locations for these air sports in Kananaskis, with Ha Ling Peak being one of them. Plenits clarified that Alberta Parks does not issue individual flight permissions, instead collaborating closely with the Alberta Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association and relevant partners for coordination.
Following the paragliding accident, rescue teams from Alberta Parks and conservation officers also responded to the scene, demonstrating the coordinated efforts in place for emergency situations in the area.
