DADE COUNTY, Ga. – Two people were killed in a hang-gliding excursion on Lookout Mountain when they crashed shortly after takeoff.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the northwestern Georgia mountain on Tuesday afternoon after witnesses reported seeing a glider lose altitude within moments of launching.

According to officials, the glider crashed into a heavily wooded area that made rescue efforts difficult and hazardous.

“The terrain was steep and rugged, and our first priority was ensuring the safety of the recovery team,” a Dade County emergency responder said.

It took several hours for crews to reach the site and retrieve the victims. Their identities have not yet been released pending notification of family members.

Lookout Mountain, is widely considered one of the premier hang-gliding spots.

Thousands of people hang-glide after launching from Lookout Mountain every year.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

Weather conditions at the time were reported to be calm, though investigators have not ruled out equipment malfunction or pilot error.

The crash marks the second fatal hang-gliding incident in the region in the past three years, according to FAA data.

Officials say the investigation could take weeks before a final determination is made.