Paraglider survives plummet from skies

BLENHEIM - Paraglider Tim Percival fell from the sky and landed in a tree when his main chute collapsed up the Wairau Valley in Marlborough yesterday.

Nelson based Mr Percival said his chute collapsed after he hit turbulence at just under 300m.

He deployed his reserve chute quickly when things started to go pear-shaped, in case he became caught up and unable to reach it.

There was no time to panic, said Mr Percival.

"Sometimes in paragliding you have to think on your feet, figuratively speaking!"

The reserve chute slowed his descent, and he described his landing as "fairly soft".

He said it was the first time he had used his reserve chute on a flight, so was pleased to see it worked.

"I packed it myself! "

An experienced paraglider, Mr Percival was wearing a helmet and carrying a global positioning system unit, a radio and an emergency locator beacon.

He had launched from Golden Downs, and his flight came to an end near Netting Stream near the Raglan Ranges.

An eagle eyed Blenheim man ensured a swift rescue for Mr Percival.

Chris Richards was having a cup of tea during a day's fishing up the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, when he noticed a paraglider sailing high above the trees.

"Something about it made me watch it," he said.

Suddenly the paraglider's chute collapsed and he began to fall towards the ground.

"He just plummeted out of the sky."

Mr Richards lost sight of the man below a ridge line, but could see his chute caught up in some beech trees.

He called the police, who sent a rescue helicopter from Nelson and an ambulance from Blenheim.

The Nelson Marlborough Community Trust rescue helicopter soon arrived and picked up Mr Richards from near Chinaman's bridge on State Highway 63.

He then helped them locate Mr Percival.

After falling out of the sky he ended up dangling in a tree, but was able to untangle himself and climb down.

He was winched aboard the helicopter unhurt.

Constable Dave Swaney of Nelson police said it was great that Mr Percival had escaped unharmed on a day which had already seen two fatal accidents in Marlborough.

"So often with these things the outcome is tragic," he said.

"He's one lucky guy," said Mr Richards.

- nzpa