Swiss Red Bull X-Alps pilot Peter von Bergen has died in a paragliding accident. The accident happened on the morning of Sunday 20 March 2016. He was 30.
According to local press reports Peter was flying at Fiesch in Switzerland when the accident happened at about 9.30am.
Jungfrau Zeitung reported that after taking off from Fiescheralp he was at 300-400m above the terrain flying acro when something went wrong and he entered a spiral dive which saw him hit the ground.
The newspaper reports that his reserve was not deployed. A police statement from Valais Police said that when rescuers arrived at the scene Peter had already died.
Peter was a passionate outdoor athlete and pilot and took part in the Red Bull X-Alps last year. ‘Peter from the Mountain’ as he was known carved his own way through the course, and reached goal in Monaco in 11 days 12 hours in 13th place.
As well as the X-Alps Peter had competed in many adventure races, and placed first in the Run-and-Fly Jura 2014 and the Vercofly (2014 and 2015). Those wins were what qualified Peter for the X-Alps. He entered the race as one of two Wildcards.
Peter started flying in 2004 and earned his tandem licence in 2010. He worked as a tandem pilot and instructor and lived near Fiesch.
We offer our sincere condolences to Peter’s friends and family.
