Paraglider rescued from the sea after he encounters a failure in flight
A paraglider has been rescued from the sea off Newdowns Head, St.Agnes this evening. He had launched from the nearby cliffs, but found himself dropping and couldn’t recover himself.
The paraglider, who was on holiday, was witnessed by several bystanders, as he took off from his standing launch site above the cliffs at Newdowns Head. He was professionally kitted and equipped, but for an unknown reason, following his launch, he found himself in difficulty and was witnessed to glide down beyond the cliffs, landing in the sea.
Members of the public, who were watching him called 999, asking for the Coastguard. The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Falmouth requested the launch of the St.Agnes RNLI Lifeboat ‘Kenneth R Easter’, the stations current relief Lifeboat.
The lifeboat crew were paged at 1730hrs and the crew assembled, and launched the lifeboat, with a crew of Helm Adam Garland, Paul Fisher and Laura Penhaul as crew. This was Laura’s first Operational Call out as Crewmember.
The lifeboat proceeded towards the last known position of the paraglider.
In addition, and due to the potential severity of the incident, the HM Coastguard Helicopter was also scrambled, and made it’s way to the scene. St.Agnes Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team were paged and also made there way to co-ordinate the incident.
The male casualty, in his late forties, was located by the lifeboat and recovered into the boat. Although he had no physical injuries, he was winched into the HM Coastguard Helicopter and taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, for a full medical examination following his emersion ordeal.
On this occasion, the casualty had the appropriate equipment and thanks to the prompt action of witnesses, who called 999 and asked for the Coastguard, who were able to co-ordinate a prompt rescue and recovery of him.
Once the casualty was safely recovered into the helicopter and on route to hospital, the lifeboat crew recovered his equipment from the water, for him to collect at a later date.
The lifeboat was re-housed and ready for service at 1840hrs
Notes to editors
- St Agnes lifeboat station has been operating since 1968. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/stagnes
- Please find photographs of the incident attached to this media release.
- Further information about St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat can be found at https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/st-agnes-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
For more information, interviews or photo opportunities, please telephone Paul Kimberley, St.Agnes RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07976737761 or [email protected]
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