A PARAGLIDER dubbed the "human swan" has been seriously injured in a horror mid-air crash that killed her friend in a round-the-UK record bid.

       Sacha Dench - a relative of Dame Judi Dench - was attempting to make the 3,000-mile journey when she collided with a member of her support crew, causing them to plummet to the ground.

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       Sacha Dench is in hospital following the mid-air smash Credit: PA 2

       Dan Burton was tragically killed in the accident in Scotland Credit: Facebook

       Support paramotorist Dan Burton, 54, was tragically killed in the accident

       Ms Dench, 43, is in hospital with serious injuries.

       The trustees of Conservation Without Borders said the accident happened in the western Highlands of Scotland near Loch Na Gainmhich.

       A statement said: "We are very sorry to have to confirm that Dan Burton, the support paramotorist, has died as a result of the accident.

       "Sacha Dench is seriously injured and is being treated in hospital.

       "Her injuries are serious but not life-threatening

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       "Both highly experienced paramotorists, our thoughts are with the family of Dan Burton, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.

       "The incident was attended by police and medics and inquiries are under way to establish the details of the accident."

       The statement added that the families of those involved had been informed and that the Round Britain Climate Challenge would now be put on hold.

       Ms Dench and Mr Burton were in the final stages of their venture when they collided.

       They were aiming to fly around the country in specially adapted, green electricity powered paramotors ahead of the Cop26 conference due to start on October 31.

       The incident happened at about 4.45pm - a day after Mr Burton shared a photo on Facebook showing picturesque hills near the village of Tongue in the Scottish Highlands.

       In 2016, Australian biologist Ms Dench set a Guinness World Record as the first woman crossing the English Channel by paramotor.

       Sacha Dench shares her view from the sky while paragliding to raise awareness for Conversation Without Borders

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