Austrian free-flyer rescued from higher reaches of Chhota Bhangal

An Austrian free-flyer, Jacob Krammer, who went missing after taking off from Billing on Monday morning, was rescued from the higher reaches of Dhauladhar in Chhota Bhangal valley of Kangra district on Tuesday. Krammer, stranded at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level, was located and rescued by a team from the Bir Billing Paragliding Association (BPA) after an overnight search.

BPA president Anurag Thakur said the association launched a massive rescue operation soon after it was reported that Krammer had not landed back at Chogan. A private chopper was engaged to comb the high-altitude areas where he was last spotted near Dehanasar. Locals confirmed he had managed a safe landing despite the rugged terrain.

The operation had to be suspended last evening due to poor visibility and unsafe landing conditions. Early this morning, the chopper was redeployed and successfully reached the location. BPA volunteers airlifted Krammer along with his glider to Bir. He was found in shock after spending a night in freezing temperatures but had no visible injuries. He was later taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.

This was the second paragliding mishap in two days. In a separate incident, Canadian paraglider Megan Elizabeth died after her glider crashed near Himani Chamunda. Her body was recovered from deep trenches on Monday with the help of choppers and BPA rescue teams.