KANANASKIS–– Cochrane RCMP received a tip on Tuesday (June 9) of a missing paraglider near Elbow Falls in the Kananaskis area.
After arriving on scene, Police located a deceased 56-year-old man from Calgary.
Cochrane RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said friends contacted the detachment after becoming concerned about the victim's whereabouts when he failed to return home. His vehicle was found parked at Elbow Falls in Kananaskis which led police to begin their investigation.
"With the help of Kananaskis Emergency Services a helicopter was brought in and conducted an aerial search and they located his paragliding equipment in a tree," Savinkoff said. He added that a ground search was then administered and the man was found in close proximity to his paragliding equipment.
Police believe the man became entangled in a tree on his descent. In the process of trying to set himself free, he fell a significant distance to the ground, succumbing to his injuries.
Family and friends have been notified and the deceased has been taken to the medical examiner.
"This sort of past time is fairly high-risk and we really encourage a buddy system," Savinkoff said. "Have friends nearby and have close contact with those people so that if you do get into a difficult situation, emergency services can be called to try and assist you within quick order."
The investigation is ongoing to determine whether or not the victim's equipment affected his descent.
