Paraglider rescued from Mt Maunganui

A New Caledonian paraglider had to be rescued yesterday from the slopes of Mt Maunganui, in the Bay of Plenty.

Police said they had received numerous calls from people who saw a paraglider crash into the side of Mt Maunganui at around 4.20pm.

Mt Maunganui police search and rescue Sergeant Craig Madden said police and a park ranger found the 28-year-old tourist about half way up the side of the Mount.

The only thing hurt was his pride, Mr Madden said.

The man did not have much paragliding experience and had been gliding off the lower slopes when a gust of wind pushed his chute up high into the side of the Mount landing in the top of a tree, Mr Madden said.

He was about two metres up the tree but was able to climb down.

- NZPA