Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Alex Grove

Hang glider flies over Leeds during lockdown - and not everyone is happy about it

A hang glider spotted soaring over Leeds while the country is on lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak has divided public opinion on social media.

Videos have emerged on Facebook of the daredevil flying over Swillington and Garforth on Tuesday evening.

Ali Bean, who lives in Garforth, says the glider is a regular sight in the skies and she was delighted to see him back flying over the city.

"I love it," the 36-year-old said. "I love seeing him on a normal day and it really doesn't bother me that he is out doing it.

"The glider guy is a lovely sight to see and in no way is he endangering anyone else as he gets his daily exercise in.

This hand glider was spotted soaring over Leeds on Tuesday night (Submitted)

"In my opinion he is exercising. It simply brightens up me and my family's day to look up and see him gliding about and enjoying himself in a time where there is little opportunity to see this as parks are shut and people are kept inside behind closed doors.

"He couldn't get any further away from people and if I had one I would do the same. It's nice to see something that is normal. Not all heroes wear capes but this guy's pretty damn close."

In a video sent to Leeds Live, the glider can be seen flying over a block of flats on Tuesday evening around 6pm and a child can be seen shouting "get down" during the footage.

Although some were fascinated by his stunts, with one person on Facebook labelling the glider as "amazing" others were less than impressed given the Government's current advice against non-essential travel.

In a public Facebook group for members of the Swillington community, one man said: "People getting fined for walking but it’s fine for this to go on", whereas another added: "Bit inconsiderate when everyone else is stuck inside."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.