'Bachelorette' contestant Eric Hill dies in paragliding accident

LOS ANGELES

Eric Hill, 31, was paragliding in Utah on Sunday when his parachute collapsed, according to reports. He had been in a coma since the accident. Hill's sister, Karen Tracy, confirmed on her Facebook page that Hill died Wednesday.

"Eric shared his final journey with us this morning as all his immediate family were able to be at his side when he passed away. Thank you to all of your love and support and prayers and fasting," Karen Tracey wrote. "He gave us such a gift of a life fully lived and fully shared, and allowed us all to be a part of his last adventure here on earth. It is hard to think of life without his bright spark, but we know he is on to new adventures."

Hill had been one of the potential suitors for bachelorette Andi Dorfman. Before joining the reality show, he had been documenting his quest to visit every country in the world in less than 1,200 days.

ABC and Warner Bros. Television have not decided how they will address the tragedy in the show when it begins next month.

"We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic passing of our friend, Eric Hill. Eric inspired us every day with his passion, his courage and his adventurous spirit, and for that we are very thankful," "Bachelor" producers told ABC News. "On behalf of our cast, crew and producers, we send our love, our thoughts and our prayers to Eric's family during this difficult time.

ABC News contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.