A paraglider plunged 656ft to death mid-flight with moment captured in tragic footage.
Grandfather Ricardo Stecanella took off from the launch point before making a left turn, then a right turn.
About half a minute into his flight over the scenic, mountainous area, his glider appeared to fold in half.
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The woman filming exclaimed: “My God!”
She became hysterical and began running as the footage ended.
Firefighters were called at around 1:40pm on Sunday (2 Mar) and found trucker Stecanella, 52, with multiple injuries.
He was pronounced dead at the scene in Timbé do Sul, south west of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
It’s believed he died instantly upon hitting the ground after falling about 200m (656ft).
His body had to be winched up to a helicopter using ropes and cords, as reported by Need To Know.
Stecanella was a lorry driver and was on leave from the Municipal Water and Sewage Authority.
He was a member of the Timbé do Sul Hang-Gliding Club, which stated: “It’s hard to find the right words to express our feelings in this moment of sadness and grief.
“Our hearts go out to Ricardo’s family and friends.
“May we all find comfort in the legacy he left behind, in the embraces and words that will help us carry on.
“Ricardo, fly free for eternity.”
Stecanella leaves behind a wife, Adriana Cavalheiro, who wrote: “Even up there, you will always be my flyer.”
He was also a father and grandfather, it is understood
The police recovered part of his flight equipment in an area of forest and it will undergo analysis as part of the investigation.
Stecanella was laid to rest on Monday (3 Mar) in Timbé do Sul.
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