New Zealand paraglider's death in Nevada ruled accidental

body of a well-kwn paraglider from New Zealand has been recovered from a mountaius site in a remote part of Neva, a sheriff said Monday.

Sheriff Jesse Watts said a passerby ticed a parachute last Wednesday and searchers on Friday reached body of James “Kiwi” Johnston in Fish Creek mountains of Eureka County.

“ foul play. Pure accident," said Watts, who also serves as Eureka County coroner. He said Johnston died of multiple injuries from a high-elevation fall.

Johnston disappeared Aug. 23 while about 250 miles (402 kilometers) east of Re and 200 miles (322 kilometers) rth of Las Vegas. He was attempting to fly west-to-east across Neva.

Searchers from several counties scoured area for almost a week before suspending operations Aug. 29.

New Zealand Herald reported that Johnston also used name Oroc. He was a journalist, photographer and artist who regularly flew long distances.

In vember 2018, he broke his previous New Zealand overseas open distance record in Brazil.

Johnston lifted off from Neva's Shoshone Mountain, near Round Mountain, and planned to fly to Wendover on Neva-Utah line. He was with two or pilots who reported him missing 24 hours later.

(Representative Im)