Paraglider gets caught in utility lines above highway

Traffic on the highway through Vernon was halted Friday evening to allow crews to respond to an unusual rescue incident.

Vernon firefighters were called to the north end of the city around 7:40 p.m. on June 2 after a motorized paraglider had to make an emergency landing and became caught on a set of cable and telephone lines.

Vernon Fire Rescue was dispatched to the 4400-block of 32nd Street (Highway 97), with reports from several drivers that a person on a fan-powered paraglider was stuck about 20 feet off the ground.

Firefighters parked a fire engine under the patient to keep him from falling and then used the bucket of a ladder truck to safely remove him, the machine and the parachute from the wires and return them to the ground.

RCMP closed the highway in both directions while the rescue took place and traffic was stopped or rerouted for approximately 20 minutes.

“It appears the paraglider ran out of fuel and the operator had to make an emergency landing,” Deputy Fire Chief Alan Hofsink said. “The patient was assessed by paramedics on site and no injuries were reported. We’re proud of the quick and creative work of the crew to complete this rescue and we’re thankful that everyone was kept safe.”

BC Hydro also attended the scene for safety purposes, although no power lines were involved in the incident.