HG Accident at Piha/White's?

This was reported in the media over the weekend. Don't think any local HG pilot was involved. Was it a pg?

HG Accident?

Jeff Ripley's picture

I have spoken to Reuben and Allan and neither of them have heard of any accident. Hangie boys Sebastion and Carlos have heard even less.

Is someone trying to keep a secret?

I guess we will find out when the accident report is sent in?

Hope it comes soon I'm holding my breath.

search & rescue

A work colleague asked me about our mystery crash. He is involved with search and rescue and a retrieval of the wing is planned for Sunday. (must still be perched on the cliff). Watch this space, I'll talk to him come Monday. He didn't elaborate as to whether there was a body to retrieve as well?

Police report

Here's the report from the police website. Doesn't have too many details but it looks like the pilot is OK.

Whites Beach- 2 Kilometres north of Piha.

17: 

UPDATE, UPDATE,,

Transferred to Waitakere Hospital not North Shore......end

UPDATE, UPDATE,

Emergency services are on site. Snr Sgt Anthony Miller of the Waitakere Police States the hang glider crashed into a cliff side by whites beach in the western area and was precariously perched half way up the cliff face. The Police Eagle helicopter was deployed and was first on scene. The 40 year old male pilot was able to free himself from the wreckage and climb to the bottom of the cliff where he was uplifted by the Police helicopter. He has now been transferred by amublance to North Shore Hosptial with minor injuries.

The wreckage of the hang glider will remain on the cliff face until the morning.

Nil further.

HANG GLIDER CRASH

Police and emergency services are presently attending a hang gliding accident at Whites Beach, approximately 2 kilometres north of Piha Beach. It is understood the glider has crashed into the cliff. Emergency services are not yet on scene.

further to follow.

District: 
Waitemata
Description of Incident: 
Hang Glider Crash

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Phil Rose

My source wishes to remain anonymous, but I'm told the hang glider pilot that crashed at Whites was Phil Rose.

The day was NW and light

daronb's picture

The day was NW and light (acccording to a pilot walking the beach at Muriwai that day) and a very high spring tide. Whites bay ridge (facing Piha) takes S and NW is impossible to fly so possibly someone attempted to fly there not knowing the site conditions.

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