Paraglider Crashes Into Mountain Gondola Lift

Story By: Joseph GolderSub-EditorJoseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

These images show the chute still hanging from a gondola after it was hit by a 52-year-old paraglider who incredibly survived.

The incident took place at the Garland reservoir on the popular skiing mountain of Brauneck, near Lenggries, a municipality in the southern German state of Bavaria.

The paraglider, who has not been named, was blown off course by some wind causing it to crash into the gondola with the chute then becoming caught in the gondola cables 60 metres (196 feet) below the mountain station.

CEN/Bergwacht Lenggries

In one of the images taken by the mountain rescue service of Lenggries, the paraglider can be seen sitting on top of the gondola, which he managed to climb onto, while a rescuer can be seen next to him.

Luckily the gondola was stopped after continuing for a few more metres, and it was then slowly driven towards a support pillar.

Three rescuers from the mountain rescue service Lenggries were already waiting for him there.

CEN/Bergwacht Lenggries

The rescue operation took 45 minutes, with the paraglider being secured and the ladder of the gondola support then lowered.

The mission ended at 1:25 p.m. Fortunately, the 52-year-old was not injured.

Brauneck is a popular skiing destination in winter. In the summer, it is popular with hikers.

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