Paraglider airlifted to hospital with 'serious injuries' after crashing near Eryri peak

Wales Online

6 days ago

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A paraglider suffered serious injuries when crashing in mountainous terrain in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). The pilot was airlifted to hospital after making a 'hard' landing near Moel Wnion in the lower Carneddau mountain range.
According to the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO), the paraglider got into difficulty after experiencing a major problem with their aircraft. Despite the severity of the injuries, the casualty was able to call for help.
Moel Wnion, a 1,903ft peak between Llanlechid and Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, is regarded as providing 'excellent soaring' for hang gliders and paragliders. With a flattish top, it is a training ground for novice pilots.
Gliding club Snowdonia Sky Sports said: 'Moel Wnion is a very forgiving site by local standards and offers great ridge soaring with good opportunities to hone those top-landing skills.'
Details have recently emerged of last month's crash, which occurred on Monday, July 21. Seventeen OVMRO team members were called to the incident, remaining on scene for more than three hours.
Due to the remote location and the nature of the injuries, Coastguard rescue helicopter 936 was also summoned from Caernarfon airport. Helimed 61, a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter also operating from Caernarfon, was put on standby in case further support was needed.
An OVMRO spokesperson said: 'A paraglider flying close to Moel Wnion experienced a significant problem with their wing and impacted the ground hard, sustaining serious injuries but able to call for help." Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
OVMRO added: 'Local team members were quickly on scene with Rescue 936. (They) assessed and treated the casualty before packaging them for a stretcher move to the aircraft that had landed a short distance away.
'The casualty was transferred to Ysbty Gwynedd for treatment.'
Tryfan hikers 'ignored advice'
By July 21, the team had already carried out 105 deployments this year. Two days after the paraglider rescue, the team was twice called out again to deal with groups of hikers whose members were experiencing vertigo and anxiety episodes.
One of the two parties ignored advice when they became stranded on steep ground on Tryfan, having begun to descend via the mountain's north ridge. The five-strong group phoned for help when one of them suffered an anxiety attack.
As the group had no navigation equipment, head torches or warm equipment, they were advised to remain where they were and wait for a rescue party to join them.
They took no notice. An OVMRO spokesperson said: 'The group phoned back stating they couldn't wait for a hill party and, despite firm advice to remain stationary due to proximity of dangerous terrain, the group initially ignored advice and moved.
'The team leader attempted to provide navigational advice which was not followed by the group. After further strong words of advice, they remained stationary.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
After climbing down from the north ridge, a rescue party located the group's members, who were warmed up and walked off the mountain. Nine OVMRO team members were involved in the four-hour rescue.
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