Monday, September 1, 2014

Hang-gliding community in shock over crash death - ABC Online


The accident happened on Sunday afternoon when the 47-year-old firefighter spiralled out of control and hit the house on Memorial Drive.


Mr Parer, who was a competitive pilot and internationally recognised for his skill, had been performing difficult aerobatic manouevres to the delight of onlookers.


Newcastle police are preparing a report for the Coroner, but it's believed he may have swerved to avoid another hang glider before clipping power lines.


Simon Plint, who's been involved with the Newcastle Hang Gliding Club for over 30 years, knew Adam well.


"He was a very safe pilot and it was just a shock to everyone that he would be associated with an accident," he says.


"Although he's had accidents in the past, it just seems like luck wasn't on his side.


"Yesterday was just an accident, accidents can happen.


"We'll never know exactly how it happened, it was just one of those things that Adam couldn't have foreseen."


Adam was a very safe pilot, Simon says.


"He didn't take risks, although he was a aerobatic pilot, he loved to do aerobatics and he did them very safely and with a great technique," he says.


"So it was a great shock to hear of this tragedy involving Adam."


Simon says Adam was well-known and respected by the whole hang-gliding community, not just in Newcastle but around the world.


"He was a very good competitive hang-glider pilot," he says.


"Hang-gliding competitions cross-country are very technical and he perfected that.


"He was tuned into it, he just knew innately what the wind was doing and how to manoeuvre it to achieve the best glide and the best performance.


"It does take a lot of concentration and I think in this situation it's a tiny lapse in concentration for whatever reason can result in an accident."


Simon says the weather conditions on Sunday weren't dangerous, although there were a lot of hang gliders in the area at the time.


"It's a self-regulated thing, we all know to keep a good distance from other gliders in the area and you maintain a separation," he explains.


Adam was passionate about the sport, Simon says.


"You could tell that he loved it so much."


Newcastle Hang Gliding Club is considering how to pay tribute to Adam, and may introduce a memorial trophy in his name.


Police investigating the cause of the accident have spoken to witnesses who were nearby, and also have a video taken by one of the spectators.


Simon Plint spoke to Helen Clare on 1233 ABC Newcastle Mornings.



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