Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 16, 2009 17:26:15 GMT 12
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/paraglider-pilot-flown-hospital-after-fall-3312477
A man who fell and injured his back while paragliding near Wellington on Wednesday had to be winched to safety before being flown to Wellington Hospital.
The 25-year-old Porirua man was paragliding at Smiths Gully, north of Makara Beach, by himself when he was caught in a down draught which caused him to plunge six metres to the ground. He was able to call the ambulance service and give his location and possible injuries.
The Wellington-based Westpac rescue helicopter was called about 10.40am and the man was spotted about 30m down from the top of a ridge where the helicopter was able to land. After he was assessed by a paramedic it was decided, because of his location and the steepness of the terrain, to winch him into the helicopter.
The man was taken to Wellington Hospital emergency department where he was being treated and assessed.
A man who fell and injured his back while paragliding near Wellington on Wednesday had to be winched to safety before being flown to Wellington Hospital.
The 25-year-old Porirua man was paragliding at Smiths Gully, north of Makara Beach, by himself when he was caught in a down draught which caused him to plunge six metres to the ground. He was able to call the ambulance service and give his location and possible injuries.
The Wellington-based Westpac rescue helicopter was called about 10.40am and the man was spotted about 30m down from the top of a ridge where the helicopter was able to land. After he was assessed by a paramedic it was decided, because of his location and the steepness of the terrain, to winch him into the helicopter.
The man was taken to Wellington Hospital emergency department where he was being treated and assessed.
