NEIL MERSHAM, experienced Byron Bay hangliding identity recently dies in a tragic hanggliding accident at Lennox Head.
His brother, Glen, had these words…
“Neil was the pioneer to hanglideing in Byron Bay. Along with a few others like David Cribb from Evans Head, Neil first used the sand dunes at Broadwater and sand dunes between Evans Hd and Ballina.
“They really were rough-and-ready type flying machines – more like a kites and it was scary stuff watching Neil and David jumping off these dunes 100ft high, with limited knowledge of hanglideing in general.
“This was way back in 1973 and since then Neil never looked back. He became a champion of many state, national and international titles – being 13th in the world at Vancouver.
“He was the safest and most dedicated hanglider pilot in Byron – one look in the sky and he could tell what the weather was going to do…
“I will miss him – tragedy just happens when when we least expect it
“Rest in peace, dear brother.”
Glen
A beautiful man. Flew with him 4 times. He loved every flight. May he now be flying like the eagle we were soaring with on my 3rd flight with him.