A paraglider crashed on Foothill Road adjacent to the “D” hill above Walley’s Hot Springs at about 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.
The 36-year-old male paraglider suffered critical injuries when the he crashed for an unknown reason in the vicinity of the Genoa sandpits. A second paraglider reached the injured man by climbing up the hill and reported to authorities that the victim had several broken bones.
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Rescuers carried the injured paraglider up to a ridge. East Fork firefighters traversed the mountain to treat the victim while California Highway Patrol helicopters and the Nevada Division of Forestry assisted in airlifting the victim off the mountain and to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.
Authorities shut down Foothill Road between Walley’s and the Genoa Post Office for the chopper landing.
Several agencies aided the rescue including the East Fork Fire Department, Douglas County Sherriff’s Department, the Nevada Division of Forestry, and from the neighboring state, the California Highway Patrol.
Paragliding is considered an adventure sport utilizing a lightweight fabric, free-flying glider. The pilot wears a harness and is situated below the glider wing. It is a popular activity at vacation resorts around the world.
There are specific considerations to take into account when paragliding:
- Weather
- Equipment
- Judgment
- Decision-making
The top tips for paragliding safety include:
- Fly in conditions based on your skill level.
- Under-confidence is just as dangerous as over-confidence.
- Check your equipment.
- For your first experience try a tandem-fly instead of going solo.
- Don’t fly on your own.
- Don’t overestimate your skills.