Pilot remained suspended high above the ground near Tandu as NHAI, Gawar Company, SDRF and NDRF teams joined hands; heavy crane deployed to execute challenging rescue operation
Munish Sood
Mandi: A potentially fatal paragliding accident in Mandi district ended in relief on Tuesday after a pilot, whose parachute became entangled in a 33 KV high-tension electricity line near Tandu, was successfully rescued following nearly four hours of strenuous efforts.
The incident had triggered panic in the area after the paraglider got caught in the high-voltage wires, leaving the pilot suspended dangerously in mid-air. With the flyer stranded at a considerable height and the risk of electrocution adding to the complexity, rescuing him safely became a major challenge for the authorities.
Soon after receiving information, the police alerted the concerned agencies, following which teams from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Gawar Company, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the spot and launched a coordinated rescue operation.
The operation continued for nearly four hours, with rescue personnel working under challenging conditions to bring the stranded pilot down safely. A large crane belonging to Gawar Company was deployed to facilitate the operation, which eventually helped the teams accomplish the difficult task.
Siddharth, Deputy Project Manager (DPM) of Gawar Company, said the company had immediately mobilised its heavy crane to assist the rescue teams. He said the coordinated efforts and careful execution by all agencies played a crucial role in ensuring the pilot’s safe evacuation.
The high-voltage electricity line posed a serious risk throughout the operation, requiring the rescue personnel to exercise extreme caution while working at such a height.
After nearly four hours of painstaking efforts, the joint teams finally succeeded in bringing the pilot safely to the ground.
The successful operation highlighted the importance of coordination among disaster response agencies, police and infrastructure companies in handling complex emergency situations. The timely deployment of specialised equipment and the combined efforts of NHAI, Gawar Company, SDRF and NDRF helped avert what could otherwise have turned into a major tragedy.
The incident comes amid a series of recent paragliding accidents in Himachal Pradesh, renewing concerns over flight safety, weather monitoring and emergency response arrangements at the state’s popular flying destinations.
