March 28, 2024

Man faces second charge in related to fatal Agassiz hang gliding accident

A second charge has been laid against the man accused in a hang-gliding accident that killed a woman in Agassiz last spring. William Orders already faces an obstruction charge, after he allegedly swallowed a memory card that contained a video from the flight. He had been piloting the tandem glider when passenger 27-year-old Lenami Godinez-Avila … [Read more...]

Pilot error blamed for womans’ death while hang gliding

It appears a young woman fell from a hang glider to her death last April because of pilot error.  So says the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada, as it investigates the death of 27-year-old Lenami Godinez near Agassiz.  Vice-President Bruce Busby says the group looked at the gear and found no problems. It looks like … [Read more...]

Trial date set in deadly hang gliding accident

Trial dates for the man accused in April's fatal hang-gliding accident near Agassiz have now been set. 50-year old William Jon Orders will be in court next April 15th. Orders was piloting the flight in which 27-year old Lenami Godinez-Avila fell to her death. He's charged with obstructing justice, after  swallowing the flight's memory … [Read more...]

Coast Guard cuts hang over launch of Vancouver salmon fishing season

Vancouver salmon fishermen are returning to the water for another season. A departing fleet was blessed as they left from Vancouver’s fishermen's wharf – in the shadow of impending cuts to the Kitsilano Coast Guard station. Irvin Figg with the fishermen's union was quick to blast the move. "It seems like it doesn't matter who's running … [Read more...]

Hang glider pilot involved in deadly crash issues statement

The 50 year old who was piloting the hang glider flight from which 27 Lenami Godinez-Avila fell and died near Harrison Mills last month has now issued a statement. William Orders spoke at his lawyer's office this afternoon. "I want to offer my condolences and sympathy for what lenami's family and friends must be going through.  Lenami was … [Read more...]

Memorial held for hang glider who died last weekend

A memorial was held Saturday for Lenami Godinez-Avila, the 27-year-old woman who plunged to her death from a hang-glider flight in Harrison Mills last weekend. Jason Warner, safety director of the Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada, says the tribute was organized by glider pilots. About 30 pilots gathered at the site where … [Read more...]

Evidence has now been produced in hang gliding tragedy.

A bail hearing for the pilot involved in the death of a hang gliding client on Saturday has begun, with police confirming crucial evidence has been recovered. The memory card allegedly swallowed by William Jon Orders is now being examined at an RCMP lab. A publication ban prevents the release of many details, but there's still a chance bail will be … [Read more...]

Bail hearing delayed for hang glider pilot

The bail hearing has been delayed for a hang gliding pilot charged with obstruction of justice after the weekend death of his client in the Fraser Valley. William Johnathan Orders is accused of swallowing a memory card containing video of Saturday's fall by 27 year old Lenami Godinez. Orders will now make the appearance Friday afternoon at … [Read more...]

BC’s Attorney General will take a hard look at the hang gliding industry after a tragic death.

The hang gliding industry may be in for stricter regulations following a fatal fall in the Fraser Valley last Saturday.    Attorney General Shirley Bond asked her staff to examine the issue after the death of 27 year old Lenami Godinez and says it appears the industry is self-regulating and Bond adds that may change once police and … [Read more...]

Pilot of fatal hang glider flight is accused of swallowing evidence.

The hang gliding pilot charged with obstructing justice after the weekend death of his client is accused of swallowing evidence.  Court documents filed by Crown Counsel in Chilliwack suggest William Orders tried to hide video from the tragic fall, by swallowing a memory card, recording the fatal flight.  The 50 year old is slated to apply … [Read more...]