Dramatic Rescue: Russian Paraglider Saved from High-Tension Wires in Mandi

For the rescuers, there was little room for error. A Russian paraglider was hanging nearly 200 feet above the ground, entangled in high-tension electricity wires in Mandi district, and every passing second increased the danger of a fall.

“Since the person was alive, every second counted. The team was under tremendous pressure to ensure that he did not fall in its presence. Our men acted swiftly and managed to bring him down safely,” said Arjit Sen Thakur, Senior Superintendent of Police, SDRF.

Though the State Disaster Response Force had not handled a similar case involving a paraglider caught in high-voltage wires in recent times, its specialised training for rescue operations at height proved crucial.

“Our men are trained to carry out rescue operations at heights. We train for different eventualities on ropeways in the state,” Thakur said.

The incident occurred at Tando in Mandi district after the Russian national, identified as Alexey, became trapped in a high-tension transmission line about 150 to 200 feet above the ground.

Alexey had taken off from the popular Bir Billing paragliding site in Kangra district earlier in the afternoon and was flying towards Mandi when his paraglider became entangled in the wires. The exact circumstances leading to the incident were not immediately known.

According to Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, the administration received information about the incident at around 2.30 pm and immediately mobilised rescue teams. As a safety measure, electricity supply to the transmission line was switched off before rescuers approached the stranded pilot.

The height of the transmission line and the risk posed by the high-voltage wires made the operation particularly challenging. Local residents also pitched in, spreading tarpaulins and mattresses beneath the pilot as a precaution in case he fell.

A large crane brought to the site eventually proved critical to the rescue. SDRF personnel reached the pilot with its help and secured him with a rope before carefully bringing him onto the crane.

Thakur said the pilot was fortunate that heavy machinery was available nearby and an SDRF unit was close enough to respond quickly. Any significant delay in reaching the spot could have made the situation far more dangerous.

Personnel from the SDRF, NDRF, fire services, police and other agencies worked together during the operation. An Air Force helicopter was also requisitioned as a contingency but was ultimately not required.

After nearly three tense hours, rescuers succeeded in bringing Alexey safely to the ground. He was subsequently taken to Zonal Hospital, Mandi, for medical examination and treatment.

Traffic on the Mandi-Padhar highway was also restricted during the rescue to allow cranes and other machinery to reach and operate at the site.

The incident has once again highlighted the safety risks associated with adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh, particularly along paragliding routes that pass close to high-voltage electricity transmission infrastructure.