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British paraglider Innes Powell, 54, killed in mid-air collision

A British paraglider has died after colliding with another pilot mid-air during a competition in Macedonia.

Innes Powell, 54, crashed into Ukranian paraglider Igor Volov, 56, ahead of the final race of the British Open in Krusevo on Friday, it has been revealed.

Mr Volov was also killed in the crash at roughly midday.

The British paraglider died in a nearby hospital following resuscitation attempts while Mr Volov was pronounced dead at the scene.

The pilots first struck each other while in a thermal air column, according to Cross Country magazine.

They were able to separate but were later propelled into contact again "much harder", a pilot quoted by the magazine said.

Mr Powell did not open his reserve parachute and landed on a path below, where he was still conscious when paramedics reached him, it was reported.

The paraglider had suffered devastating internal injuries along with a broken shoulder, pelvis and ribs, Cross Country said.

Mr Powell has been described as a well-known instructor with decades of competitive flying experience.

He once carried out the daring rescue of another paraglider who crashed into a cliff ledge, with the story being retold in an episode of the 2008 Discovery Channel series True Heroes.

Mr Powell had trained with the Isle of Wight Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club.

The chairman and committee of the group said in a statement: "It is with regret that the IOWHGPC has been informed of a recent incident that took place at the British Open Paragliding Competition in Kusevo Macedonia where tragically Innes Powell was killed.

"The members and committee send their sincere and deep condolences to Sarah, Rosie and his family.

"Our thoughts are with them all at this dreadful time."

Mr Volov, who was not a competitor, reportedly opened his reserve chute and landed in a tree.

He was dead by the time rescuers arrived.

The competition had been on its final day and was halted after the crash.

A statement on the British Paragliding Competitions website said: "It is with great sadness that The British Paragliding Competitions Panel have to announce the death of Innes Powell and Igor Volov in the final task of the British Open in Krusevo on Friday August 17 2018.

"Our deep condolences go to the families and friends of the two pilots.

"The pilots' families have been informed. We will release more details in due course."

The prosecutor's office in Macedonia said it has ordered that video and data from the paragliders' tracker systems are downloaded.

The British Open championship was held between August 11-17 at Krusevo, described on the competition website as "paragliding Mecca".