Serious Paragliding NOT Kiteboarding Accident, Pattaya, Thailand
 

News reports are stating that two people kitersurfing off the Ambasador City Jomthien Hotel in Pattaya,
Chonburi, Thailand were lofted about 1400 ft. inland to land on the roof of the 400 ft. high hotel building.
(winds were 15 kts.?!)


This is false … and borderline impossible.


http://www.hotelthailand.com/hotel-p...ty-jomtien.jpg
The 40 story hotel on the beach in Pattaya

It was apparently a tandem paragliding flight using a boat tow operation. It seems the pilot, Narayan Keita (28), had launched with his passenger, Tatyana Fadeyeva (14) impacted the roof of the hotel. I hope to learn if he was attempting to land there or what exactly happened. I understand the 15 kt. winds were perhaps excessive for paragliding given mechanical turbulence off the large building. Both people were seriously injured unfortunately in this accident. I hope to receive more information from Mike with kiteboardingasia.com in Pattaya via email regarding the accident once it becomes available. You can read more details (which may or may not be accurate) at:

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fre...jomthien-beach

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-ne...nt-in-jomtien/

This followup news article identifies this as a paragliding accident and not related to kitesurfing.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...iding-updated/


http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/albums/...g?m=1424367762
The layout of the accident. The paragliders were reported about 200 m offshore when apparently something happened to convey them 800 ft. over land and into the roof of the 400 ft. tall hotel building.


http://www.diamondsuitespattaya.com/...p_thailand.jpg


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