A bungling paraglider was left dangling from a construction crane after losing control in turbulent winds.
The thrillseeker encountered chaotic wind currents, causing the canopy and lines to become fully entangled in the upper structure of the crane on a building site.
He was left hanging precariously from the jib of a 197ft tower crane after losing control in turbulent winds during a flight.
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Firefighters arrived promptly after reports of the emergency situation.
The man was found suspended in mid-air at the crane’s tail end, supported only by his tangled lines with no stable footing.
The man faced the risk of an imminent fatal fall.
Site conditions, including construction materials and ground excavations, ruled out inflatable cushions or a standard low-level rescue operation.
Officials coordinated with crane operators and deployed a 236ft aerial ladder platform accompanied by drones for real-time monitoring and floodlighting for the night-time operation.
Two firefighters, secured with safety harnesses and carrying cutting tools and ropes, ascended to the man’s position.
They first reassured him – with one officer heard saying words to the effect of “don’t worry sir, we’re on our way, stay calm and don’t move”.
The rescuers then attached secondary safety lines and a rescue vest.
After confirming all protections were secure, rescuers cut the entangled lines and carefully lowered the man to the ground.
The entire high-risk extraction took several hours with no injuries reported to the paraglider or rescue personnel, as reported by Need To Know.
The rescue took place near Jialing River in Nanchong City, China, on 19 June.
Local emergency authorities confirmed the successful outcome the following day, with the Shunqing District Emergency Management Bureau stating the individual was safe and without life-threatening injuries.
Nanchong lies in eastern Sichuan, a region known for its rivers and varied terrain that attracts outdoor enthusiasts.
Chinese fire and emergency departments have since issued a public reminder urging participants in high-risk aerial sports such as paragliding to use only licensed sites, verify equipment, assess weather and airspace thoroughly, and avoid self-rescue attempts in emergencies.
A spokesperson for the Nanchong City Fire Rescue Department said: “High-altitude extreme sports carry extreme risks, and participants must comprehensively evaluate localised weather patterns and strict airspace restrictions beforehand.”
No further details on the paraglider’s identity or any potential investigation into the flight have been released.
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