NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A female Vietnamese paraglider has been safely rescued after her parachute crashed into a cliff, seriously injuring her, during a training session in Si Khiu district on Saturday, police said.
The police identified the woman as Pham Thengoc Lan, 32, from Vietnam. She was one of about 150 paragliders from more than 10 countries - including China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan - attending an international paragliding training seminar hosted by the Royal Aeronautic Sports Association of Thailand (RASAT). The event ran April 6-15 at Khao Sadao paragliding site in Si Khiu district.
Si Khiu police were informed at about noon on Saturday that a paraglider had crashed into the cliff in an area adjoining Khao Sadao and Khao Phrik in tambon Nong Ya Khao. This prompted the police, Hook 31 Rescue Unit, and provincial disaster relief and mitigation workers and about 50 workers to launch a search by air and land.
Almost five hours later, Ms Pham was found stuck in a tree growing from the cliff face, about 500 metres above the base of the cliff. She had broken her collarbone and her left leg, and suffered numerous other bruises and wounds.
After giving her first-aid treatment the rescuers began to bring her down the steep cliff. About six hours later, at 11.15pm on Saturday night, she was lowered safely to the ground.
Ms Pham was admitted to Theparat Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The woman told officials that a strong rainstorm had driven her paraglider into the cliff, leaving her seriously injured. She thanked the Thai rescuers for saving her life.