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Paraglider suffers ‘traumatic injuries’ at Point of the Mountain

Posted at 9:52 AM, May 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-14 17:16:55-04

LEHI, Utah — A paraglider was taken to the hospital by Life Flight after being seriously injured in a crash at Point of the Mountain Monday morning.

Lehi Fire Department Battalion Chief Kim Beck said the 33-year-old from Colorado sustained a "severe" back injury and a right leg injury. The fire department called in Life Flight to assist.

"Conditions change quickly up there, the wind does, so it`s always a variable," Beck said. "He was only about 100 feet down from the top of the mountain."

Witnesses say the pilot was trying to do a 360 when the winds turned against him, slamming him into the side of the mountain.

"The Point of the Mountain is one of the best paragliding spots on the planet," said Bordy of Heber. "People come from all over the world to learn here."

With how steep the slope is and how fast the wind blows, it makes the perfect place to paraglide, unless the conditions are used against the pilot.

Bordy was on his way to the flight park at Point of the Mountain when he saw the helicopter leaving the area.

"It's terrifying in any sport to watch a fellow competitor have any sort of incident, especially when as serious that it requires Life Flight," Bordy said.

Bordy watched as the paragliding community came together to help the fallen pilot. Some were so shaken, they decided not to fly that day.

"Your whole attitude just sinks," he said. "It drains you, and instantly you worry about the pilot."

Still, Bordy couldn't hide his love for the sport.

"It's exhilarating to no longer be connected — to be pulled down and held down by gravity — is what I think so many people fantasize about," he said. "I love every single moment of it."

The injured paraglider was still in the hospital in serious condition as of Monday night.