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#346560
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.a ... in%2Cnarts

Picton paraglider has lucky escape
A Picton man is lucky to have come away with just minor injuries after he was blown well off course while paragliding.

20 January 2014

A paraglider has had a lucky escape after he was blown off course and lifted about 1km into the air before making a heavy landing on farmland in Marlborough.

The 49-year-old Picton man, who was on only his second solo flight, had left Collins Hill just after 1pm on Sunday and had intended to land at Koromiko, south of Picton.

But he was reported missing by a friend when he was about three hours overdue from his planned flight.

Police tasked the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter with conducting an aerial search.

The man was eventually found shortly before 7.30pm, at Robin Hood Bay, after making radio contact.

The man told police he got caught in strong wind gusts and was lifted about 1000m into the air.

He was unable to land and was instead blown well off course before landing heavily on farmland near Cook Strait.

The main said he suffered air sickness during the flight and fell asleep for some time after landing.

Inspector Simon Feltham said the man was extremely lucky to have come away with just minor injuries.

"This incident underlines the importance of ensuring you have checked the weather conditions and have the skills and experience to match them," he said.
By Comet
#346561
Paraglider Collapse wrote:"This incident underlines the importance of ensuring you have checked the weather conditions and have the skills and experience to match them," he said.
The police inspector should be an instructor - great advice!