The accident occurred at Shek O yesterday afternoon.

Three Filipinas, who were attending a church activity with about 100 others at the Shek O Village Road site, suffered slight injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

The paraglider, a German man surnamed Foullon, was unhurt.

Steve Yancey, safety officer of the Hong Kong Paragliding Association, said an investigation is being carried out.

Foullon, 33, is well known to the association, Yancey said.

The association will also assist the Civil Aviation Department in finding out why he landed on the main beach instead of Rocky Bay Beach. "The main beach is not a landing site for a paraglider unless it's an emergency situation," Yancey said.

Shek O is a popular location for the sport as it is within walking distance of Dragon's Back ridge from where paragliders may be launched.

"Accidents similar to this are very rare in our sport. It has not been heard of for 10 years or more," Yancey said.

A paraglider should always carry a working radio and a reserve in preparation for emergencies.

A Civil Aviation Department spokesman said it will investigate the incident and wait for the association's report.

He said although certain areas in the territory are controlled airspace, the law does not require a valid license for paragliding.

"It is a matter of self-discipline for paragliding enthusiasts."

David Chu Yu-lin, a former legislator who has been paragliding for 10 years, said: "When the paraglider lands, the speed is just more or less about 15 kilometers an hour. It is much slower than veteran bike riders and fast runners."

Dubbed Flying Chu for his love of the sport - his surname sounds similar to "pig" in Cantonese - the veteran paraglider added: "It's a misconception that the sport poses a threat to the public. It does not. It is more or less like playing football in the field. Who will make a fuss if one player runs into a passerby?"