MOAB — A Colorado man who was hang gliding east of Canyonlands National Park died Monday after strong winds dragged him off a cliff as he was trying to take off, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.
Craig Pirazzi, 50, of Paradox, Colorado, was hang gliding with three other people in the Indian Creek area when the accident happened, the sheriff's office said Tuesday in a post on its Facebook page.
After being dragged off the cliff, Pirazzi spiraled out of control for about 300 feet before striking the ground, the sheriff's office said. Other hang gliders rapelled down to the spot where Pirazzi crashed and began first aid. Despite their efforts, Pirazzi died at the scene.
Search and rescue crews worked through the night to hoist Pirazzi's body and the two hang gliders who had tried to save him back up the cliff, the sheriff's office said.
— Geoff Liesik