Korean paraglider saved after getting stuck on tall tree

What a relief: Firemen bringing the victim down the tree.

KOTA KINABALU: A South Korean paraglider found himself dangling some 50m above the ground after getting stuck on a tree.

Cha Woo-sung, 50, was swayed off the designated path by strong winds not long after taking off from the renowned Kokol Hill in Menggatal near here yesterday.

He also faced other technical problems before landing on the tree.

He was rescued some 40 minutes later.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Hamsa Isnurdini said a distress call was made to the department at 1.51pm.

“Our team trekked to the location he was reportedly stuck and helped him to safety,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said Cha was about 1km away from where he took off.

Lintas fire station chief Agustavia Joe Guasi said Cha was suspended mid-air for about 40 minutes before he was brought to safety by firemen using a lowering method.

“We got him off the tree and brought him to the ground around 4.50pm,” she said, adding that Cha was unhurt.