A popular Newcastle cliff top is a crime scene after a paraglider died when he slammed into a rock face.
Police said up to a dozen witnesses saw the paraglider crash into the cliff at Shepherds Hill that sits on the Newcastle coastline.
They said the man, believed to be in his 60s, took off from a popular lookout and was in the air for about 10 minutes before tragedy struck.
Newcastle police inspector Gerard Lawson said the man was dragged up to the top of the cliff by onlookers, but could not be revived.
Inspector Lawson said the man was passionate about paragliding.
"He was here doing something that he loved and unfortunately he's lost his life doing so," he said.
Inspector Lawson said it was unclear how the man got into trouble.
He said flying gear and the weather conditions would be examined as part of investigations.
"We'll be making a report to the coroner and it will be up to them to determine that," he said.
"There are a lot of things we have to consider — the air worthiness of the device that he was using, as well as the weather conditions."
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
