UPDATED: Emergency services are this evening (Sunday) conducting a joint operation to bring a paraglider to safety following an incident on Afton Down near Freshwater.
Early reports suggest the mainland pilot got into difficulty when landing on the downland and is believed to have suffered a broken leg as a result.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was called to the scene by the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service just after 18:10, however couldn’t get close enough to the casualty. The difficult situation has prompted further resources to be called in with Coastguard Rescue 104 helicopter arriving on the scene from Lee-on-Solent to attempt a winch rescue of the paraglider.
The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team are in attendance alongside Police and ambulance crews.
UPDATE @ 19:55 – Coastguard 104 Rescue Helicopter has successfully winched the paraglider to safety and has transferred the casualty to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.
UPDATE @ 20:55 – Island Echo understands the male paraglider got his foot caught in a rabbit hole in the ground on landing, causing multiple fractures to his leg. The casualty is understood to be stable.
