Australian Paraglider Rescued 20 Hours After Crash Near Manali

An Australian paraglider who crashed near Manali was rescued nearly 20 hours after the accident, officials said on Tuesday.

The paraglider, identified as Andy (51) from Australia, is believed to have crashed due to strong winds and adverse weather conditions.

Officials said the incident occurred near the Seven Sisters Peak, located at an altitude of about 13,500 feet in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Monday evening.

A fellow paraglider, who was flying alongside Andy, witnessed the crash and immediately alerted rescue teams for assistance. Both pilots had flown from Bir Billing in Kangra district to Manali and were returning when the accident occurred.

A rescue team was dispatched on Monday evening to reach the crash site in the rugged mountain terrain.

According to Ramesh Kumar Jogi, head of the Manali Adventure Tour Association’s rescue team, the paraglider was stranded on a dangerous, narrow cliff and was finally airlifted to safety with the help of a helicopter.

Officials said the injured paraglider pilot is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital and is out of danger.