Injured paraglider rescued on Snow King Mountain

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) - A paraglider is recovering after being rescued by helicopter Monday.

Teton County Search and Rescue was alerted to the injured paraglider on Snow King Mountain at 1:11 p.m.

Officials say the 21-year-old local man sustained injuries when he struck the slope after attempting to fly from the mountain’s summit. The accident occurred about three-quarters of the way up Exhibition, the main ski run below the summit gondola.

Snow King Mountain Patrol were first on scene and provided initial patient assessment and care. Due to steep, icy conditions on the north-facing slope, patrol requested helicopter assistance. TCSAR responded with a ground team of five volunteers, and a short-haul team of three plus the pilot in the TCSAR helicopter. 

Short-haul is a rescue method in which a patient and rescuer are connected via a long rope to the belly of the helicopter for a short flight out of the backcountry. It is most often used in steep, unforgiving terrain where landing the helicopter is not an option.

As the helicopter approached, a group of six TCSAR volunteers and ski patrol members provided assistance to stabilize the patient on the ground. The short-haul team then clipped the patient to the helicopter and transported him to a landing zone (LZ) and waiting ambulance at the base of Snow King.

TCSAR commends the response from Snow King Mountain Patrol,and appreciates the partnership that enabled the team to bring this mission to a successful close.