New Zealander hurt in Cebu paragliding accident


RESCUERS help bring New Zealander Ronald Anthony Daryl Sharp to safer grounds after he crashed while paragliding in Oslob town, southern Cebu on Sunday, Jan. 15. (Photo from Oslob Police Station)

CEBU CITY – A 72-year-old New Zealander was injured in a paragliding accident in Oslob town, southern Cebu on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Police identified the victim as Ronald Anthony Daryl Sharp, a resident of Barangay Hagdan, Oslob.

Capt. Ian Macatangay, chief of the Oslob police, said they received a report around 3 p.m. that a foreigner crashed while paragliding at 11:30 a.m. in a mountainous area in Barangay Poblacion.

The municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office rushed to the area after receiving the report.

Because of the treacherous terrain, personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fire Protection were also called in to help in the rescue operation.

Sharp was brought down the mountain around 7 p.m. The victim was found with a fractured right arm, police said.

He was brought to the Oslob District Hospital before he was transferred to a hospital here for further treatment.

The cause of the accident is still being investigated, police said.