Paraglider seriously injured in Peak District crash

The 63-year-old, from Norfolk, crashed into the southern side of Rushop Edge Ridge, near Mam Tor.

Members of Buxton and Edale mountain rescue teams were alerted to the incident on Thursday and helped air ambulance medics stabilise him at the scene before he was winched off the hillside and flown to hospital.

Ian Hurst, president of Buxton Mountain Rescue Team, said: “A 63-year-old male paraglider pilot from Norfolk suffered a severe fall onto the steep southern side of the Rushop Edge ridge, near to Mam Tor.

“The injured pilot was treated on site by the Derbyshire Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance medics supported by mountain rescue medics and the ambulance service.

“Due to the serious nature of the pilot’s injuries, an early decision was made was made to call in the Coastguard Sikorsky S92 helicopter from Humberside Airport to winch the casualty from the steep hillside.

“Whole body splinting with a mountain rescue vacuum mattress and loading onto the helicopter stretcher was undertaken by mountain rescue personnel, and the casualty was flown directly to the Major Trauma Unit at Stoke.”

Keith Birkitt, Buxton Mountain Rescue Team’s deputy leader, said: “ This incident was an excellent example of multiple agencies all working together to achieve the best possible outcome for the casualty.”