Hang glider pilot Thomas Mayer dies after crash at San Bernardino event

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.—One of two hang glider pilots involved in crashes at an aerobatics event in San Bernardino has died.

The county coroner’s office says Thomas Mayer of Santa Barbara County died after he fell about 300 feet when his hang glider became disabled around 6:45 p.m. Saturday. He could not deploy an emergency parachute.

Fire Battalion Chief Paul Drasil says another glider pilot, who has not been identified, crashed minutes later. It was unclear if the crashes were related.

The accidents occurred at the Crestline Soaring Society Aerobatics Competition, which features rotation and other acrobatic exercises.