A female tourist from an Arab nation was killed when a recreational paramotor experienced mechanical failure and plummeted into the sea near Bentota on Wednesday afternoon. The pilot survived the incident.
A paramotor carrying two passengers crashed into the waters off Bentota on Wednesday at approximately 4:30 pm, resulting in the death of a foreign tourist. According to police, the aircraft operated by a private company offering aerial sightseeing tours experienced a mechanical malfunction during flight, leading to the descent into the sea.
The paramotor carried a pilot and a female passenger believed to be an Arab national. While the pilot managed to survive the accident, the tourist initially went missing after entering the water. Search efforts resulted in the recovery of her body from the sea off the coast.
The deceased was transported to Kalutara Teaching Hospital where post-mortem examinations were conducted. The Bentota Police have initiated investigations into the circumstances surrounding the mechanical failure and crash. Authorities are examining the operational history and maintenance records of the paramotor as part of their inquiry.
