A paraglider became stranded at a height of around 60 metres after becoming entangled in a tower crane in China’s southwestern Sichuan province, in an incident that was widely shared on social media, Xinhua reports.
The paraglider was descending toward Nanchong when his glider’s lines became caught in the jib of a construction crane, leaving him suspended in the air. “The glider’s lines were caught in the jib of the crane,” according to reports describing the incident.
The dramatic scene, which was captured on camera, quickly circulated online, including on platforms such as Weibo and X, drawing attention to the risks associated with adventure sports and flying near urban infrastructure.
Xinhua reported that firefighters carried out a high-altitude rescue operation and successfully freed the paraglider. While one witness cited by the Beijing News said the pilot remained stranded for about an hour, some local media outlets reported that the rescue operation may have lasted several hours.
Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the incident.
The event has reignited discussion about safety in adventure sports, where strict weather assessment and regulatory compliance are essential. Paragliding typically requires prior approval and adherence to airspace rules, with experts warning that sudden wind changes and proximity to tall structures can significantly increase risk.
The incident is not isolated. In a separate recent case in the Austrian Alps, a paraglider was struck by a small aircraft while flying near Schmittenhöhe mountain, a popular paragliding location in northern Austria.
According to the Salzburg State Police, “Sabrina, a 44-year-old experienced pilot, was flying with a mounted camera when a sightseeing plane suddenly passed directly through her canopy, just feet above her head.” The impact sent her spinning toward the ground, though she was able to deploy her emergency parachute and land safely.
By Vafa Guliyeva
