Poland paraglider pilot safe, to be rescued today

Babinski, a Poland paraglider pilot, who had crash-landed in high hills of Dhauladhar ranges near Himani Chamunda temple north of Dharmshala yesterday, could not be rescued for a second day today as the helicopter could not land at the crash site. However, the pilot is reported to be safe.

Anurag Sharma, president Bir Billing Paragliding Association, said that repeated efforts by the pilot of the helicopter to take out Babinski from the accident site were not successful. The rescue operation was postponed for tomorrow.

However, a team comprising volunteers of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Manali sent by the district administration had reached the site. The volunteers took out the pilot from the trench and shifted him to a place on a hilltop where a helicopter could land.

He said the paraglider pilot had crash-landed in the trench between two mountains where the rescue team faced hurdles and could not reach him. He said because of the sun set and bad weather, helicopters could not be sent to the place where Babinski and rescue team had been camping. He will be rescued tomorrow.

Babinski was a free flier who had not been participating in the paragliding world cup championship. He had received minor injuries. The rescue team had a first aid kit and he was given medical aid. He would be taken to Vivekananda Hospital Palampur for medical treatment.

In the past one week, two paraglider pilots had lost their lives in Bir Billing and Manali. Both were foreigners.