A Picton paraglider has been rescued after a traumatic flight carried him around 30 kilometres off course.
The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter began searching for the man around 7pm yesterday after he failed to return from an afternoon flight near Picton.
The pilot was carrying a hand held UHF radio which enabled the helicopter crew to pinpoint his location.
He was located in Port Underwood after high winds and turbulence blew him some distance.
The man was assessed by a paramedic after a heavy landing in a paddock, but was feeling only a little worse for wear.
