Hang-glider crash, man injured
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August 29, 1999 |
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By
During
the hottest summer days, most hang glider pilots
avoid flying because of the strong updrafts and
downdrafts caused by the heat. That was the case
today except for one man who decided to go
flying. He was caught in a strong downdraft and
was slammed into the side of the mountain before
he could regain control. By
the time RMRU arrived on scene, other agencies
had already provided pre-hospital treatment and
placed the patient in a litter. Deano Esades from
RMRU helped attach the litter to the winch on the
CHP helicopter hovering above. The subject was
airlifted to the road where Dr. Ray Hussey and
Jim Fairchild were at the road to help with the
patient assessment. C-spine precautions had been
taken and a sager splint was applied to the leg.
The patient was then airlifted to the Inland
Medical Center. We met at a restaurant to finish
paperwork before returning home. At
the hospital, it was determined that there were
no broken bones but he was being held for
observation of a possible concussion.