A search is currently ongoing for a hang glider who has disappeared in a well-known tourist area, leaving authorities puzzled. The missing individual, a 59-year-old experienced hang glider pilot, was last seen yesterday afternoon. He vanished after losing altitude during a glide off the New South Wales Mid North Coast, Australia, shortly after taking off from Lindeman’s Point, located approximately 129km south of Port Macquarie, near Forster.
Another glider who took off after the missing man and later crashed into the water alerted authorities to the disappearance around 4 pm yesterday. Fortunately, this second glider emerged unscathed from the incident.
The launch site where the incident occurred is near the picturesque Booti Booti National Park, known for its stunning beaches and challenging hiking trails. Elizabeth Beach’s sandy dunes have now become the focus of attention for a different reason.
Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry launched a search operation, deploying rescue vessel Forster 30 with a team of volunteers. They combed the area from Seven Mile Beach to Elizabeth Beach until 8:30 pm yesterday, with the search efforts continuing today.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Courtney Greenslade reported that the search involved parallel-line searches conducted by Forster 30 and Water Police from Lindeman Cove to Blueys Head, with communication support from Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry radio operators.
Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds, forced the Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry team to halt their search after more than six hours of scouring the waters south of Forster at around 3 pm local time.
Inspector Courtney Greenslade stated that the volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW are on standby to assist further if requested by the NSW Police Marine Area Command.
Speaking to ABC News Australia, Inspector David Coyle from Manning Great Lakes Police District described the sudden event as unexpected, emphasizing the missing man’s extensive experience in hang gliding. Graeme Cran, a paraglider with Mid North Coast Flyers, highlighted the potential risks of aviation sports but noted that proper training prepares individuals for such emergencies.