Parasailing accident victim blames Karachi Gliding club for inadequate equipment, rescue team

A day of family fun turned into a nightmare for Muskan Idrees, a victim of the recent parasailing accident at HMR Waterfront in Karachi on February 25, when she found herself entangled in a mishap that plunged her into the sea off the coast of Do Darya.

Muskan, accompanied by her husband, 11-month-old son, and mother-in-law, embarked on what was supposed to be an exhilarating parasailing adventure. However, what followed was a series of events that left the victim fighting for her life and ignited a debate on safety standards in recreational activities.

The victim, almost a month after the accident, took to Facebook to share the harrowing ordeal.

"I was provided with a life jacket, helmet, and a selfie stick. Without properly checking the equipment, I was quickly launched into the air. After only 2.5 minutes when we were almost at the top of Emaar, the parachute string got entangled in the fan, causing it to stop abruptly, leading to a fall into the sea," she wrote in her post.

Amidst the chaos, Muskam struggled to free herself, calling for help for nearly 8 to 9 agonising minutes. She said that the Karachi Gliding Club, responsible for overseeing the activity, lacked adequate rescue protocols.

"The Karachi Gliding Club had no rescue protocols. It was only through a stroke of luck that a private speed boat, owned by a doctor from South City out on a family picnic, appeared and rescued me. Allah granted me a new life," the victim alleged.

"I was rushed to South City ER, where it was discovered I had multiple fractures in my back, damage to my ribcage, and trapped air in my lungs," she added.

Muskan said that she underwent a 4-hour surgery at Agha Khan University Hospital (AKUH), where two Harrington rods and twelve screws were implanted in her back to stabilise her injuries.

According to Muskan, she is currently bedridden and unable to care for her son or carry out basic tasks due to the physical and mental trauma inflicted upon her and her family.

In her statement, Muskan emphasises the need for improved safety standards across all sectors, urging authorities to prioritise the well-being of both instructors and customers.

"Blaming victims is unjust; instead, efforts should focus on improving safety standards across all sectors. Accidents can happen anywhere in the world but it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of both their instructors and customers after any such mishap. Being Pakistan-based is not a justification," she said.

"If availing activities in Pakistan is wrong then next time if you have food poisoning from eating in a Pakistani restaurant please don’t complain or post reviews just don’t go there because you can always eat fresh home cooked meal or you could travel to some other country," Muskan added.

"My recovery journey is ongoing, and your understanding and support are invaluable during this challenging time. I hope my experience will prompt positive change and prevent similar incidents in the future."