Experienced hang glider, 50, practicing for a major championship dies after crashing into a remote paddock
- Bevan Tayor, 50, crashed into a remote paddock in Western Australia
- The experienced and well-respected hang glider died at the scene
- Mr Taylor was known for his infectious smile and love of West Coast Eagles
- Investigation will be conducted into the cause of the crash by Merriden Police
An experienced hang glider has crashed into a paddock only one day before he was due to take part in the WA hang gliding championships.
The 50-year-old man crashed into a paddock near the intersection of Logan and Warralakin Roads, about 50km north east of the small Western Australian town of Merriden, around 4pm on Saturday.
Bevan Taylor, who was the only occupant of the hang glider, died at the scene.
Bevan Taylor, who was the only occupant of the hang glider, died at the scene (pictured)
The 50-year-old man crashed into a paddock near the intersection of Logan and Warralakin Roads, about 50km north east of the small Western Australian town of Merriden, around 4pm on Saturday (pictured)
Police say the man was practising for the upcoming championships.
The competition had now been cancelled, Hang Gliding Associating of WA secretary Richard Breyley said.
Mr Breyley said Mr Taylor was an experienced hang glider.
‘He was a well-respected and loved colleague of ours,’ he said.
‘We’d been flying with him for a few years now. He was a friend of ours.
‘We do it for the love of the sport, not winning or losing.
‘He was a good friend and a close mate of many, Bevan will be missed by all of us.
Mr Taylor’s family said they were glad he died doing what he loved
Mr Taylor’s family said they were glad he died doing what he loved.
‘Dad loved hang gliding and was always so excited to fly,’ they said in a statement.
Friends of Mr Taylor, who was named Novice Hang Gliding champion two years in a row, was known for his infections smile and his love for the West Coast Eagles.
An investigation into the cause of the crash will be conducted by Merredin Police and the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia wand a report will be prepared for the coroner.
FULL STATEMENT FROM BEVAN TAYLOR’S FAMILY:
‘Dad was our hero and our best friend. He supported us in all our endeavours. Whenever we had a problem, we knew that Dad would help us through it. He was our safe haven.
‘We are forever indebted to him for teaching us all that we know and for taking us on so many adventures. Mostly, though, we are grateful that he was the kind of Dad who would always tell us that he loved us and that he was proud of us.
‘He made sure that my sisters and I knew we could do anything a man could. He made sure that my brother knew that it was okay for men to express their emotions.
‘He was a man who wasn’t afraid to talk about his feelings, or about ours. He was both the strongest and the kindest man that we know.
‘Dad loved hang gliding and was always so excited to fly. We take some comfort knowing that he was doing what he loved when he left us.
‘Our lives are changed forever, and we don’t know how we will carry on without him. If love was enough to bring someone back, he would still be here with us.’