6 days ago
Parents die in tandem paraglider crash, leaving three-year-old girl orphaned
A three-year-old has been left orphaned after a paraglider carrying her parents crashed during a tandem flight.
The accident took place in Niteroi City Park, which overlooks Brazil 's spectacular Guanabara Bay of the Atlantic Ocean, on the afternoon of August 8.
The two who died were identified as paragliding and scuba instructor Luan Calor Cannelas Gomes da Silva, 29, and his ex-partner Vanessa do Nascimento Alves.
Although separated, the former couple had a three-year-old daughter together and remained on good terms, with Luan inviting her to join him for the fatal flight.
Footage taken after the crash shows rescue teams searching steep, wooded terrain for the victims.
Firefighters can be seen moving carefully over the hillside as a helicopter hovers overhead.
The Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Department said they were called at 12.57pm and positioned an ambulance at Charitas Beach.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were taken to the Forensic Medical Institute.
Five days earlier, Luan had posted images of himself making the same jump from the Niteroi City Park ramps with at least two other people.
Friends described him as a careful and cautious pilot who avoided flying in poor conditions.
Following the accident, the Niteroi Public Order Secretariat suspended all activities on the paragliding ramps.
Roads to the launch site were closed and signs were put up reminding visitors to hire pilots accredited by the relevant authorities.
Oversight of free flight activities in the area is the responsibility of the National Civil Aviation Agency and the Air Force.
The incident is under investigation.
