Paraglider killed in Barton clifftop crash named as Anthony Robinson (66)

A PARAGLIDER who was killed after crashing into the cliffs at Barton has been named as Anthony Robinson from Burton.

The 66-year-old, of Stony Lane, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the car park in Marine Drive East on 7th July, and his identity was confirmed at a recent inquest opening.

As reported in the A&T, police, paramedics, an air ambulance and a Lymington Coastguard team responded to the incident.

Eyewitnesses said the area was cordoned off while crews worked in vain to save Mr Robinson’s life.

A hearing at Winchester Coroners’ Court on 27th July was told the preliminary cause of death was a severe chest injury after a paragliding fall.

Adjourned, a full inquest is due to take place at the same court on 5th April 2023.

Mr Robinson’s was the second paraglider death at Barton in 11 months, with pilot Christopher Sparham (62), of Romsey, having been killed in August last year.

An inquest into Mr Sparham’s death, also at Winchester, heard the wing of his paraglider had collapsed, causing him to lose control while trying to land on the clifftop.

Another incident at Barton in 2012 led to a first-time paraglider, a man in his 40s, suffering serious injuries. A full-scale rescue operation was launched after he became stuck on the cliff face.

Prior to July’s crash, Wessex Hang-gliding and Paragliding Club had published online warnings about Barton.