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Dania Beach Man Dies in Paragliding Accident

His wife was treated and released.

Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 | Updated 8:20 AM EDT

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Dania Beach Man Dies in Paragliding Accident

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A paraglider similar to the one that crashed Friday.

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Paraglider Crashes in Dania Beach

Holiday fun at the beach turns to tragedy when a parasail crashes into the ocean. Steve Litz has more from the scene in Dania Beach.

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Paraglider
Crashes in Dania Beach

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A South Florida man has died and his wife is injured after their paraglider plunged into the Atlantic Ocean on Christmas day.

The Broward Sheriff's Office says 52-year-old Roberto Fernandez of Dania Beach and his wife Catya were flying Friday morning about 9 a.m. in a motorized tandem paraglider.

Fernandez somehow lost control of the single-engine device and flew into the ocean near Dania Pier. When they hit the water, Catya Fernandez was able to get out of her harness, but her husband was not.

Lifeguards pulled Fernandez to the beach where fire rescue workers tried to revive him. He was pronounced dead at a Hollywood hospital. The Broward County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy.

Deputies say Catya Fernandez was treated and released.