Varkala: Three employees of a paragliding agency were booked after two paragliders got stuck on a high mast light pole at Papanasam in Varkala on Tuesday. Police found lapses on the part of the agency and took the paragliding instructor Sandeep, staff Sreyas and Prabhu Deva under custody. The owner of the agency Janeesh is currently on the run. 

The paragliding instructor and Uttar Pradesh native Sandeep had claimed that the accident was caused due to unexpected wind. However, the investigation team found that the paragliders flew higher than the fixed limit by the municipality. The paragliders are directed to fly only above the seashore and strict warning was issued to exclude the areas with light poles. Police reported that the paragliders have violated the guidelines of the municipality.

Though an accident of this sort is happening for the first time in Varkala, similar incidents in which paragliders get stuck on electric poles are common, said the locals. In all such cases, the agencies used to save themselves from legal proceedings by paying penalties, added the natives. 

A Coimbatore native woman and the paragliding instructor, who were stuck on the light pole, were rescued by Fireforce officials following efforts of over one and a half hours on Tuesday evening.