The life of a paraglider who became trapped in a tree close to Hermanus High in the Western Cape this week was saved in part by students from the school.
Also read: Emergency teams save paraglider who crashes into Lion’s Head
Staff and students acted on Tuesday after the paraglider became entangled in a large bluegum tree close to the school.
‘We immediately phoned the emergency services, and some of the teachers ran to assist. The paraglider was just too high to be reached with any ladder in town,’ the school said in a social media post.
While they waited for the emergency services, a number of teachers, including Mavis de Villiers, Deon Kühn, Jacques Mangiagalli, Dayne Nel, and Gitte Schulenburg, quickly gathered students to help the paraglider.
Speaking to News24, the school’s principal, Mike Smuts, said he was ‘very proud’ of the learners and teachers for their ‘quick thinking’ in getting the paraglider to safety.
‘The staff and learners have done an excellent job in assisting the paraglider. Many of them are still talking about it at school because they are proud of themselves. Their quick thinking is admirable. The staff told the learners to get some high jump mats to place on the ground for the paraglider to come down safely,’ Smuts said.
He added that the group of Grade 10 and 11 pupils lined up around the tree and placed the mats at the trunk of the tree.
‘The staff showed the learners how to strategically place the mats on the ground and, before we knew it, the paraglider fell down onto the mats. The way the mats were placed played a great role in the paraglider landing safely on the ground,’ Smuts said.
He said the school was still buzzing with excitement.
It is believed that the paraglider sustained a few minor wounds.
The paraglider crashed into a tree in Hermanus, South Africa, in the middle of Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the South African Hang-Gliding and Paragliding Association.
According to association chairman Louis Stanford, the 34-year-old was flying in calm conditions while receiving radio instructions.
‘Thanks to some quick action by learners and teachers from Hermanus High School, the paraglider fell from the tree onto high jump mattresses and suffered only mild injuries, which were immediately addressed by paramedics.’
‘Rescue services were coordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre. The exact reason for the accident is not known, but is being investigated.’
The spokesperson for the Western Cape health department, Byron la Hoe, told News24 that emergency medical services responded to the incident shortly after noon.
‘According to our information, an unknown male patient [in his 30s] had flown into a blue gum tree. Two rescue units and an ambulance were dispatched to the scene and, upon arrival, they found the learners had placed high jump mats underneath the tree, which did indeed break the paraglider’s fall,’ said La Hoe.
‘A private ambulance was already at the scene, treated the patient, and then transported him to Hermanus MediClinic.’
Also read:
Pictures: Supplied / Klaradyn Stemmet and Henrique Lourens