Irish man who died after colliding with another paraglider, idenitified

An Irish paraglider has died after colliding into another paraglider, in the surfline opposite Sea Point High School, on Monday afternoon.

The 58-year-old, who has now been identified as Munster Rugby Elite Performance Officer, Greig Oliver, was on rocks in the water off-shore of the Sea Point Promenade.

SUPPLIED - Getty Images: Greig Oliver

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said despite CPR being performed on Oliver, he was declared deceased by paramedics.

‘’NSRI rescue swimmers and paramedics reached the man and he was freed from paragliding gear and recovered onto rocks where CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts commenced. Despite extensive CPR efforts he was sadly declared deceased by paramedics,’’ said Craig Lambinon, NSRI spokesperson.

Lambinon says it appears that two tandem paragliders may have collided in the air above the Sea Point Promenade.

‘’One tandem paraglider reportedly landed safely and both the pilot and passenger were found to be not injured. A second tandem paraglider reportedly deployed a reserve parachute and is believed to have landed in the surf approximately (believed to be) 200 to 300 meters off-shore of Sea Point Promenade.’’

‘’On arrival on the scene the adult male pilot of the tandem paraglider (that had reportedly deployed the reserve parachute) was safely on the shore and he was treated for minor injuries. The tandem passenger, a 58 year old Irish man, was on rocks in the water off-shore of the Sea Point Promenade,’’ added Lambinon.

Western Cape police are probing the matter.

Meanwhile, World Rugby has expressed its sadness to the incident. In a statement, World Rugby said Oliver was the father of Ireland U20 scrum-half Jack Oliver, whom he was supporting with his family at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

“On behalf of World Rugby and the global rugby family, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Oliver family, the Ireland U20 squad and the Irish rugby community at this difficult time,’ said Sir Bill Beaumont, World Rugby Chairman.

“All the players at the World Rugby U20 Championship stand in solidarity with Jack, his team-mates and the Oliver family and a moment’s silence will be observed across all of Tuesday’s matches as a mark of respect. We have also offered our full support to the Ireland team in South Africa,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Alungile Njemla