Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

To all pilots who knew Alex Hurtado:

Alex Hurtado was killed yesterday evening in a paragliding accident in San Pedro, California. His wife Rene reported the news to Jose Lopez early this morning. She was notified of his death last night but was unable to see the body. Jose and Cludy are currently helping Rene through the process of identifying and retrieving Alex's body.

Funeral services will be held this coming Saturday. Details to come.

Alex left behind a wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters. Please let's show Rene our support and friendship.

More information to follow.

Hadi is compiling the incident details and will present them to the Board.

I spoke with Jose this morning. As reported, he and Cludy are helping the family. Jose will let us know what we can do to support Rene and daughters through this tragedy.

Bummer...

That is terrible news.

I read this online news story which may be related.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/8532412.html

The story says it was a hang glider though.

Did he drive a little red truck? Did he sometimes fly Sylmar?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbQ7K4M_uTU

I'll miss him.

Due to some unresolved issues, there will be no funeral service for Alex this weekend. The service is currently planned for next weekend, July, 28/29. Details will be posted here.

lw

From what I read he was flying at Palos Verdes which is a coastal site. Does anyone know if there was something about the conditions that day or specific decisions in flight that contributed to the accident?

This article in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News is much better than the Daily Breeze story:

http://www.pvnews.com/articles/2007/07/ ... /news3.txt

Jose Lopez reports the following information regarding funeral services for Alex Hurtado:

Viewing
Monday, July 23, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Gates, Kingsley & Gates
1925 Arizona Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-395-9988

Rosary
Tuesday, July 24
Same address as the viewing

Mass
Wednesday, July 25, 10:00 AM
Saint Ann Church
2013 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404

If you would like to donate, please write checks to Fanny Hurtado and mail to:
Jose J. Lopez
13839 Mountain View Place
Sylmar, CA 91342

For us non-Catholics wishing to pay respect to Alex by attending his funeral, I did a little research to learn what to expect and what to do. The following is what I came up with; if anyone has more a specific or accurate suggestion on attending, please post a rely!

Monday Viewing: Self explanatory.

Tuesday Rosary: Some people will sit and some may kneel during the rosary; it will be up to local custom, really. Just follow along with the prayers and hold Alex and his family in your heart; nothing else matters. Even if you don't say the prayers out loud, that's OK. BTW, you don't need to bring a rosary.

Wednesday Mass: There are two parts in a mass: the litergy of the Word and the litergy of the Eucharist. You really just need to listen. They may or may not talk directly about Alex, as eulogies are not typical in Catholic churches. There are other parts: responses, standing, sitting, and a psalm, but those are usually pretty well spelled out in the missal and you can just follow the lead of those around you.

Then there is the litergy of the Eucharist -- this is the only part where non-Catholics are not welcome to fully participate. It's nice if you choose to genuflect, and very respectful, but if you don't the Catholics in the crowd will simply think, "Ah, I guess they are not Catholic." The prayers, sitting, standing, kneeling, all that you can certainly do, but don't go up to communion. When your pew (row) is cleared, you may kneel if you wish to pray or remain seated. Just be ready to let others in as they return.

Other than that, anything you do or don't do is probably fine. Just follow the lead of anyone who looks like they know what they are doing. Go with what feels right, take the opportunity to pray for Alex and his family, and don't worry about the details.

Mass usually takes an hour. It may go a bit longer if there is a eulology-like homily on top of the funeral rites. Plan on being the about an hour and a half.

Joseph wrote:From what I read he was flying at Palos Verdes which is a coastal site. Does anyone know if there was something about the conditions that day or specific decisions in flight that contributed to the accident?

I don't know anything about paragliding but can give an account of what my husband saw. Here is what I posted on another board as I was trying to research information on the outcome of the accident. I hope it is helpful to someone.

I am so sorry to read about this. My husband was walking across our lawn, looking up and enjoying the paraglider when all of the sudden he saw the chute just collapse. He said it looked like the air current just died instantly. He knew he hit the ground pretty hard but we were relieved to see him carried up in a stretcher and put into a helicopter. Even though we were concerned he might be paralyzed, at least we knew he was alive. We were both very saddened to hear he passed away on that same evening. We had been thinking about him and wondering all week.

There were 2 men who were able to come to his aid, a bicyclist and a runner?? He had a white t-shirt on and was at his side very quickly. I am so glad he wasn't completely alone because by the time medics reached him 30-40 minutes had passed. I called 911 and the operator dispatched the units to our house so we could point out where he was.

In the mean time, I could see and "feel" the frustration of the bicyclist as he was speaking to 911 even though I was viewing the whole thing from my house and they were on the hillside. It reminded me of the reason I have the local sheriffs # in my cell phone contact list. I have called 911 on a cell phone in this area and on the freeway and after having to repeat the name of the city over and over I ended up calling 411 instead so I could speak to a local department. This is something for everyone to be aware of. I think we have a false sense of security having a cell phone. If you paraglide in remote areas, it would be wise to get the phone number of the closest fire dept or sheriff since they are more aware of landmarks etc..

My condolences to Alex's family. We also have 2 daughters and I just can't imagine them not having their Dad around anymore.

While I believe much can be learned from this tragedy, it is difficult to look beyond the fact that two girls have lost their father, and a woman has lost her husband. My sincere condolences to Alex's family and to all who knew him.

Alan Crouse reports from the Crestline Soaring Society . . .

The CSS has established an account to benefit Alex Hurtado's family.

The account is at the Wescom Credit Union (Ontario Branch). Account number 752024.

Donations can be made at any branch of the Wescom Credit Union (www.wescom.org) or send them to CSS and we'll get them deposited.

Checks should be made out to "Memorial Fund for Alex Hurtado".
Address:
C.S.S.
PO Box 9052
San Bernardino CA 92427-9052

I was at Alex's funeral in Santa Monica yesterday. There was some concern over if these contributions will be going to Alex's widow versus Alex's oldest daughter to cover her funeral expenses. Do you know how the money will be directed?

You can probably get more information from Crestline Soaring Society President Rob McKenzie: http://www.flytandem.com/contact.htm
or CSS Treasurer Alan Crouse: treasurer (at) crestlinesoaring (dot) org