British man, 59, is killed and UK woman injured in parasailing accident after being 'swept away' by wind off Malta

Published: 06:14 EDT, 30 September 2026 | Updated: 06:15 EDT, 30 September 2026 A British man has been killed in a parasailing accident, after he was swept away by strong winds off the coast of Malta. The 59-year-old was taking part in the water sport with a 60-year-old British woman roughly a mile-and-a-half off the coast of St. Julian's on September 19 when, at around 1pm, they were seen falling into the sea. Police were called and rushed to the scene. The pair were brought back by boat to shore, where they received medical assistance. While the man was declared dead at the scene, the woman was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital, where she was found to have suffered serious injuries. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing and an inquiry has been set up, with Magistrate Renata Farrugia taking charge of it. Parasailing involves a person attached to a parasail being dragged by a moving vehicle, typically a speedboat.According to the Florida-based Parasail Safety Council, up to five million people go parasailing around the world every year. But the organisation said that in the last 30 years, over 1,200 parasailing accidents have occurred. The 59-year-old was taking part in the water sport with a 60-year-old British woman roughly a mile-and-a-half off the coast of St. Julian's (pictured) Police investigations into the matter are ongoingIn August, a British tourist died during a parasailing accident in Benidorm with her husband.The 66-year-old is said to have smashed onto rocks after a strong gust of wind led to a breakage in the parasailing line tethering the parachute canopy to the towing boat.The woman went into cardiac arrest on impact with the rocks but efforts to revive her after she was taken to Benidorm Port proved unsuccessful.She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Villajoyosa Hospital.The 47-year-old man described as her husband survived, but is thought to have suffered injuries including broken ribs and was said to be 'walking wounded'.The Daily Mail has contacted the UK's Foreign Office for comment.