Paraglider rescued from tree in Menggatal

KOTA KINABALU: A Korean paraglider got stuck on a tree when he lost control of his chute not long after take-off from the renowned Kokol Hill in Menggatal near here.

It is learnt that the 50-year-old Cha Woo Sung swayed off the designated route due to wind conditions and other technical problems prior to him getting stuck.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Hamsa Isnurdini said they received a call about the incident at around 1.51pm, Sunday (Jan 28).

"Our team trekked to where he was reported to have gotten himself into trouble and located him not long after that," he said in a statement, Sunday.

He said Cha was about a kilometre away from where he took off.

Lintas Fire Station chief Agustavia Joe Guasi said Cha was suspended midair for about 40 minutes before firemen managed to bring him down to safety using a lowering method.

"We managed to get him off the tree and brought him to safe grounds down the hill at around 4.50pm," she said, adding he was not injured from this incident.