In a heart-stopping incident that unfolded in Himachal Pradesh's Indraunag area, a paragliding pilot and a tourist found themselves dangling precariously from high-voltage power lines for nearly four hours before being rescued in a dramatic operation.
The Terrifying Ordeal Begins
The paragliding mishap occurred on Sunday when the pilot, identified as Raju, was carrying a tourist named Rohit Kumar from Delhi. What was supposed to be an exhilarating adventure sport quickly turned into a nightmare as their paraglider got entangled in the 33KV power transmission lines in the Indraunag region of Himachal Pradesh.
Local residents first spotted the terrifying scene around 4:30 PM and immediately alerted the authorities. The two individuals were suspended approximately 30-35 feet above the ground, trapped in a potentially fatal situation with live power lines surrounding them.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation
The rescue operation involved multiple agencies working in coordination to save the stranded individuals. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team from Bilaspur quickly mobilized to the scene, joining local police and electricity department officials.
Before the specialized rescue teams could begin their work, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board had to take the crucial step of cutting power to the transmission lines. This safety measure was essential to prevent electrocution and allow rescuers to approach the stranded paraglider safely.
An SDRF official detailed the challenging rescue: "We used a hydraulic ladder to reach the two people who were stuck on the high-tension wires. The operation required extreme caution due to the height and the delicate position of the victims."
Successful Rescue After Four-Hour Battle
After nearly four hours of tense efforts, the rescue team successfully brought both individuals to safety around 8:30 PM. Medical personnel waiting at the scene immediately examined both the pilot and the tourist.
Miraculously, despite the terrifying experience and prolonged suspension from the power lines, both individuals escaped without serious injuries. They were reported to be in stable condition following the rescue, though undoubtedly shaken by their near-death experience.
The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols in adventure sports activities in the popular tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances that led to the paraglider coming into contact with the power transmission lines.
This harrowing rescue serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with adventure sports and the importance of proper safety measures, route planning, and emergency preparedness in the tourism industry.
