The British Columbia hang glider pilot accused of obstruction of justice after his passenger fell to her death has been granted bail, and police have recovered a memory card he allegedly swallowed that could contain footage of the fall.
William Jon Orders, 50, had been in custody at the Agassiz RCMP detachment since his arrest Monday. The decision to grant him bail was delayed until the memory card passed through his system.
RCMP allege Orders swallowed the tiny memory card that may contain digital video of 27-year-old Lenami Godinez-Avila's fatal tandem flight over B.C.'s Fraser Valley last Saturday.
The memory card is likely the size of a vitamin pill.
According to The Canadian Press, Orders kept his eyes downcast while he listened to a Chilliwack, B.C. provincial court judge explain that he would have to relinquish his passport and refrain from hang gliding under the conditions of his bail.
The Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association said Wednesday it is suspending Orders' tandem instructor certificate.
Godinez-Avila detached from the glider moments after takeoff and desperately tried to hang on to Orders before plunging 300 metres to the ground.
According to his website, Orders has 16 years' flying experience.
The site also advertises to riders that "photos and video are available using a specially mounted camera pole that captures you, your pilot and the amazing scenery around you."
The hang gliding excursion was an anniversary present from Godinez-Avila's boyfriend, who watched in horror as she fell.
Police say Godinez-Avila's family has arrived from Mexico.
"They've come to Canada in search of answers," RCMP Const. Tracy Wolbeck said. "This has obviously been a very unique case for us and we can't lose sight of the fact that somebody lost their life."
With files from The Canadian Press
