A BRITISH paraglider has been killed after colliding with another pilot midair during a competition in Macedonia.

Innes Powell, 54, died in the crash that also claimed the life of 56-year-old Ukranian Igor Volov.

Mr Powell was rushed to hospital but later died. Mr Volov, who was not a contestant, was found dead at the scene on Friday.

Cross Country magazine reported the pilots first swung into each other while in a thermal - managing to separate before being propelled into each other "much harder".

Mr Powell did not open his reserve parachute, and was found on a path.

He suffered fatal internal injuries, along with a broken shoulder, pelvis and ribs, the magazine reported.

Officials are now investigating, with the prosecutor's office in Macedonia saying it had ordered video and data from the paragliders' tracker systems are downloaded and post-mortem examinations performed.

The British Open championship was held between August 11 and August 17 at Krusevo, with the crash happening on the last day of the competition.

The Isle of Wight Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club (IOWHGPC), where Mr Powell trained, said in a statement: "It is with regret that the IOWHGPC has been informed of a recent incident that took place at the British Open Paragliding Competition in Kusevo Macedonia where tragically Innes Powell was killed.

"The members and committee send their sincere and deep condolences to Sarah, Rosie and his family.

A statement on the British Paragliding Competitions website said: "It is with great sadness that The British Paragliding Competitions Panel have to announce the death of Innes Powell and Igor Volov in the final task of the British Open in Krusevo on Friday August 17 2018.

"Our deep condolences go to the families and friends of the two pilots.

"The pilots' families have been informed. We will release more details in due course."