An instructor and a young boy who signed up for hang gliding died after their hang glider crashed on a lake bed some 20 to 30 miles away from Las Vegas. Hang gliding is a favorite sport attracting numerous visitors in search of something new to try while on holiday.
The twelve-year-old boy and his family were on their regular summer vacation in Las Vegas when they booked hang gliding lessons for the young boy. The victim was reportedly excited to get on the hang glider, which was being pulled by a trailer behind a pickup truck. The accident happened when the truck pulling the pair of hang gliders made an abrupt turn that caused the glider to crash down, killing both student and instructor.
Details of the Accident
The driver of the truck claimed that he made the turn believing that the person on the glider had already released the tether that connected the glider to the trailer. Further investigation showed that the instructor, who was also the proprietor of the hang gliding company, did not have the necessary permit to operate the hang glider commercially on the federal land where the glider crashed.
The Accident Happened Near Sloan Road and Interstate 15
The instructor died at the scene of the accident while the young boy did not make it to the hospital even as NHP troopers attempted to revive him with CPR. Friends of the hang glider instructor maintain that he was an expert and had many years of experience in this popular sport. Investigators have yet to determine the real cause of the holiday accident but said that they were looking at mechanical and operational issues affecting the glider.
Holiday Injuries Due to Negligence
A holiday in Las Vegas can turn into a nightmare when an anticipated activity such as hang gliding causes injuries. If you or a loved one is injured while on a holiday and the accident is due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation even if you are not a resident of Las Vegas. A Nevada-licensed negligence attorney can help you obtain compensation and represent you in negotiations with insurance companies or in court.
In Las Vegas, Nevada, the law firm of Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen is backed by a team of experienced and skilled Las Vegas personal injury attorneys. We invite you to call our offices today at (702) 505-8115 or a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers.