Woman killed by remote controlled glider: American taken in for questioning
A woman carrying her two-year-old child was killed instantly after a remote controlled glider struck her in the head as she strolled along a boardwalk in Kenting National Park, Saturday, November 2.
Ms Lin, 36, from Tainan City, was enjoying a day trip in Longpan Park with her family when the approximately 5 kilogram model glider being flown by a competitor in the Taiwan leg of an international slope soaring competition slammed into her and the child at around 4:50pm. Lin died on the spot, while the child suffered a deep cut to his neck.
The child was treated at a local hospital and his condition is not life-threatening.
The F3F Radio Control Slope Soaring World Cup competition was situated around 500 meters from the accident site, and it is suspected that strong wind gusts sent the glider out of control.
A 57-year-old American man identified as “David” in local media reports, and the local organizer of the competition, Mr Zeng (曾), were taken in for questioning on suspicion of negligent death and injury. According to United Daily News, David refused to make a statement in the absence of legal representation.
Police appeared to urge David to make a statement, offering him an interpreter, but he asserted his right to legal representation and requested assistance from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
According to reports, it is the fourth time the soaring world cup competition has been held at Longpan Park, which is considered a world class site for slope soaring remote control gliders. A world speed record was set at the location in 2013.
The competition was planned to be held from yesterday, November 2, to Monday, November 4.
However, in light of the incident, Kenting National Park Management Office ordered the event cancelled for safety considerations.
Taiwan English News is an independent publication with no corporate funding. If you found this article informative, and would like to support my work, please buy me a coffee or support me on Patreon. Subscribe to Taiwan English News for free to receive the latest news via email. Advertising queries are welcome. Share, like, comment below.