A search effort is currently ongoing for a hang glider who went missing in a well-known tourist area, leaving authorities puzzled. The individual, a 59-year-old experienced hang glider pilot, disappeared yesterday afternoon. He was last seen gliding off the New South Wales Mid North Coast in Australia, near Lindeman’s Point, approximately 129km south of Port Macquarie, close to Forster.
The disappearance was reported by another glider who took off shortly after the missing man but ended up crashing into the water below. Fortunately, the second glider emerged from the incident unscathed.
The gliding site is situated near Booti Booti National Park, renowned for its picturesque beaches and challenging hiking trails. Elizabeth Beach, typically known for its sandy dunes, has now become the focal point of search efforts.
Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry mobilized rescue vessel Forster 30 with volunteers to scour the area from Seven Mile Beach to Elizabeth Beach until late yesterday evening, with search operations resuming today. The search involves parallel-line sweeps conducted by Forster 30 and Water Police from Lindeman Cove to Blueys Head, aided by radio operators from Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry.
Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions forced the Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry team to suspend their search after spending over six hours combing the waters south of Forster. They had to halt operations around 3pm local time due to strong winds impeding their efforts.
Inspector Courtney Greenslade of Marine Rescue NSW mentioned that the crew had to return to base as conditions worsened offshore. The volunteers stand ready to assist further in the search if requested by the NSW Police Marine Area Command.
Inspector David Coyle from Manning Great Lakes Police District described the incident as unexpected, noting the missing man’s extensive experience in hang gliding. Family members are on-site receiving support from friends during this challenging time.
Graeme Cran, a paraglider with Mid North Coast Flyers, emphasized the inherent risks of aviation sports, stating that while Booti Booti is not considered dangerous, any mishap in the ocean with a hang glider could lead to trouble. Training for such situations is crucial to handle emergencies effectively.
