Coast Guard Helicopter Assists In The Extraction

A glider pilot found himself tangled in some trees Saturday afternoon, and a helicopter from the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency got the call to assist with the rescue.

According to the MCA Facebook page, the pilot had crashed into a thick line of trees and was completely stuck at the South Downs beauty spot, Chanctonbury Ring.

HM Coastguard’s Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center received a call from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service just after 13:15 Saturday, requesting assistance, the Coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) and their Hazardous Area Response Team were all sent.

The gilder was in such a precarious position, that the decision was made to winch the man to safety, where he was greeted with hugs from his loved ones.

"This was an unusual job, when we first arrived we were unsure, due to the precarious position of the glider, if we were going to be able to assist," said HM Coastguard Helicopter Pilot, Jason Davies. "There was a real possibility that the rotor wash of the helicopter could dislodge the glider and its pilot from the tree. Fortunately, the Fire Service and HART teams were able to secure the glider with ropes.

"The helicopter hovered at 200 feet and kept a steady and stable position over the glider to minimize the rotor wash. The winching was tricky as he had crashed into a thick tree line, on a hillside, and the winchman had to navigate himself through the trees. Thankfully we were able to rescue the man who was met by his wife before being checked over by the ambulance service."

"West Sussex Fire and Rescue Technical Rescue team working with SECAmb’s Hazardous Area Response Team were able to set up a rope system to secure the glider in place," said West Sussex Fire and Rescue Group Manger Jeremy Beard.

"Due to the precarious position of the glider it would have been exceptionally challenging to safely reach the pilot and rescue by line. As a result and in discussion with the Pilot and Winchman, it was decided to make an attempt to rescue from air whilst monitoring safety and stability of the glider.

"It was an exceptionally challenging rescue for which we are very grateful for the skill, determination and courage of the coast guard helicopter crew to make the rescue and avoid the necessity of risking further emergency responders safety through a rescue by alternative means which was being planned for as a backup."

(Images captured by Eddie Mitchell and posted to Facebook)

FMI: www.facebook.com/MCA