Austrian paraglider rescued after crashing on Lion’s Head slopes

A 27-year-old Austrian paraglider is being treated in hospital after crashing on the slopes of Lion's Head earlier on Monday.

Wilderness Search and Rescue spokesperson David Nel said rescue personnel provided first aid before the injured paraglider was airlifted to a nearby landing zone.

Nel said a quick-thinking hiker and a local mountain guide responded immediately after witnessing the crash.

“They alerted emergency services while carefully preventing the pilot from tumbling further down the steep slope. A small technical rescue team aboard the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS AMS Rescue Helicopter was deployed to the scene.”