A Polish paraglider has been killed while taking part in an international paraglide event in De Aar in the Northern Cape, a national search and rescue co-ordinator said on Tuesday.

The pilot was found earlier on Tuesday, said search mission co-ordinator Santjie White of the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

"A motorist saw the accident site today (Tuesday) on the road between Steynsburg and Venterstad and reported it."

It was suspected that the man flew into power lines.

"Very unfortunate and very sad," White added.

The search for the man started on Sunday evening when he failed to report back after a day's flying. On Monday morning the search and rescue centre at OR Tambo was asked to help.

Some 40 paragliders taking part in the competition, which started on Saturday, also took part in Monday's search.

Sapa