Paraglider rescued from mountain

On Monday afternoon a pilot who was participating in the week-long Paragliding Championships in Barberton, had to be rescued from a mountain, after he crashed against a steep slope.

What started out as a glorious take-off for Handré Fouché, ended in a nightmare that could have turned out much worse, was it not for the assistance and cooperation of rescue officials.

According to the chairman of LSSC (Lowveld Slope Soaring Club), Willie de Klerk, Fouché took off from Lonetree Hill and was in the air for quite a while when, because of a combination of wind conditions and rotor difficulties, he ran into trouble.

This resulted in him crashing into Abbots Hill. Barberton Fire & Rescue Department came to his rescue and kept him calm while Barberton EMS and a police helicopter were deployed to assist.

De Klerk said, “I want to convey my gratitude to AJ Dreyer, operations manager of EMS and his crew, including pilot Samantha Schnetler, as well as to Capt Lindsey Pretorius, pilot of the SAPS helicopter and her crew. Also, to the Barberton EMS and Fire & Rescue officials, a big thank you. In particular, Sibusiso Ngomane, who was our medic on site.”

Fouché was admitted to Mediclinic Nelspruit and is currently in a stable condition.