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Charlotte County, FL - A 60-year-old man died in a paragliding accident in Southwest Florida on Friday.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Matthew Bell was flying on a paraglider with another individual when the incident occurred near Barracuda Road and Rotonda Trace in Port Charlotte.
The cause of Bell's death has not yet been determined.
The news of the 60-year-old's death has come as a shock to the paragliding community, as fatal accidents in the sport are rare.
Paul Czarnecki, a retired powered paraglider instructor with 15 years of experience, tells ABC 7 News that paragliding can be a safe activity when proper precautions are taken, and stressed the importance of conducting thorough research and finding a reputable instructor and training program that provides proper equipment for learning.
Czarnecki's advice serves as a reminder for all paragliders to prioritize safety at all times, such as flying with a buddy, informing others of your whereabouts, and receiving proper training and equipment.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate Friday's incident.
The cause of Bell's death will be determined through further investigation.