A paraglider in his 70s was rescued from a steep cliffside on Mount Prevost on Friday afternoon after a serious crash that triggered a large multi-agency response.
According to Cowichan Search and Rescue, the Chemainus resident had launched from one of the main jump points on the west side of the mountain when he clipped a tree shortly after takeoff and spiralled roughly 400 feet down the rock face.
A member of the paraglider’s group, who was watching from the launch point, witnessed the crash and immediately called 911. CSAR was alerted around 1:15 p.m., and teams were on scene with a rescue plan in place soon after.
Due to the extremely complex and exposed terrain, ground crews and rope rescue teams were unable to safely reach the injured man.
CSAR said its rope team attempted to access the subject from above and a separate ground team worked from below, but both approaches reached their operational limits.
“If you noticed helicopter activity over Mount Prevost today, Cowichan SAR and NSR conducted a rescue of a crashed paraglider late this afternoon,” CSAR said in a social media post over the weekend.
“Ground teams and rope rescue teams were unable to reach our subject due to the extremely complex terrain.”
The rescue ultimately relied on air support from North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopters, who were able to lower medical aid and extract the patient from the cliffside.
CSAR also acknowledged the efforts of a civilian rock climber identified as Matt, who became a first responder under the direction of a high-level first aider and remained with the injured paraglider until he was lifted out.
After the paraglider crashed, Matt, who was hiking in the area climbed to the victim’s location, where the man was hanging unconscious in his harness. The bystander cut the cords, removed the paraglider’s harness, and administered first aid, actions believed to have likely saved the man’s life.
The rescue took place in an extremely challenging location with significant fall potential. The bystander rendered aid at considerable personal risk and was later hoisted out of the area.
“Our team did everything we could to access the subject from above with our rope rescue team which reached its limits, as well as a ground team from below, but were unable to reach him,” CSAR said.
“Enormous thanks to North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopters, as well as the bystanders who put themselves at considerable risk.”
While the paraglider remains in hospital, he is expected to make a full recovery.
