UPDATE: Gunfighter Skies Air Show will go on Sunday
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KBOI) — A hang glider pilot has died following an accident during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
MHAFB officials says the pilot, Dan Buchanan was taken to the hospital by air ambulance and later succumbed to his injuries.
Colonel Joseph Kunkel calls Buchanan a friend and a hero. He says he took part in this event performing his hang gliding act for the last 36 years.
A witness told KBOI2 that they noticed the hang glider pilot making steep drops trying to get to the ground.
"We didn’t realize what was happening and then he went down,” said witness Tom Maxwell “We continue to pray for him and his family.”
Kunkel says it is too early to say what caused this crash but the National Transportation Safety Board is on site investigating.
He says they couldn't imagine something so tragic happening at this event but says first responders were ready and did extremely well responding to the crash.
"I'm extremely proud of the valiant effort that our first responders had. Mountain Home Air Force Base is continuing to respond to this and they way we're doing that is we're providing support to Dan his family his friends and frankly the community that was here at the airshow today," Kunkel said.
The remainder of today's show has been cancelled.
The show will continue as scheduled on Sunday. Those closest to Buchanan tell Kunkel that he would want the show to go on.
They say tomorrow's event will be all about honoring Dan Buchanan.
This story will be updated.
