Hang glider narrowly survives crash after losing control in the air near Vernon

VERNON – A hang glider is lucky to be alive after losing control of the his glider 5,000 feet above the mountainous terrain south of Vernon.

The man had non-life threatening injuries after his ordeal, according to a post from the Vernon Search and Rescue Society, but was incredibly lucky to survive the uncontrolled spin and crash into a forest covered hill yesterday afternoon, June 22. After he crashed, search and rescue teams were called to find him.

The hang glider was spotted by a search helicopter and rescue teams were able to hike in from the King Edward Lake Forest Service Road to pull him from the crash site. Friends of the pilot, RCMP and ambulance personnel were on hand.

He was stabilized and taken to Kelowna General Hospital in an air ambulance.

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