Hang glider a ‘hero’ and ‘best friend’

The family of a Lake Grace man who died in a hang-glider crash on Saturday have remembered him as a “hero” and “best friend”.

Bevan Taylor, 50, pictured, was practising for the WA Hang Gliding championships due to be held on Sunday when he crashed into a paddock 50km east of Merredin. He died at the scene.

The Taylor family said their dad was their hero and best friend, who died doing something he loved.

“Dad loved hang-gliding and was always so excited to fly. We take some comfort knowing that he was doing what he loved when he left us,” they said in a statement.

The father of four was described as the strongest and the kindest man and their safe haven.

“Dad was our hero and our best friend. He supported us in all our endeavours. Whenever we had a problem, we knew that Dad would help us through it. He was our safe haven,” the family said.

“Mostly, though, we are grateful that he was the kind of dad who would always tell us that he loved us and that he was proud of us.”

The Taylor family said their lives had been changed for ever.

“We don’t know how we will carry on without him. If love was enough to bring someone back, he would still be here with us.”

Friends and acquaintances took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Taylor.

“Tragic loss of a lovely man and great father,” Lisa Williams said.

Ann Marie Becker agreed, adding his death “certainly is a big loss to a beautiful family.”

Merredin police will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash in conjunction with the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.