Pilot of hang-glider accused of swallowing evidence

The hang-gliding pilot charged in relation to the fatal fall of his tandem passenger swallowed the recorded evidence of the flight, court documents allege.

On Saturday, Vancouver resident Lenami Godinez-avila, 27, plunged 300 metres to her death after launching from Mt. Woodside, near Agassiz, in tandem with pilot William Jonathan Orders, 50. Orders has been charged with obstruction of justice and is being held by Chilliwack RCMP.

On Tuesday, court documents obtained by Global TV alleged that Orders swallowed the video card, which recorded the flight, immediately after landing in an apparent attempt to stunt the investigation. The court document reads that Orders “attempted to obstruct justice by swallowing a memory card which may have contained evidence in the sudden death of Lenami Godinez.”

Cpl. Tracy Hollingsworth of the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP said Orders was given a threeday remand by RCMP on Saturday.

“There are reasons investigators had requested [custody], to gather further evidence,” she said Tuesday.

Orders is the owner and operator of Vancouver Hang Gliding and is a 16-year flying veteran. His website reads how photos and videos are available “using a specially mounted camera pole that captures you, your pilot and the amazing scenery around you.”