Paraglider flew into tree off Mount Tamborine, Gold Coast

A paraglider’s day has taken a dramatic turn after he became stuck in a tree on the Gold Coast. READ THE LATEST.

Queensland Ambulance Service treated the man before taking him to hospital. Picture: Heidi Petith

A paraglider who became trapped in a tree on the Gold Coast has been rushed to hospital with suspected back injuries.

It comes after a desperate scramble from emergency services to reach the man in his 40s, a rescue mission that took about two hours.

The paraglider is currently in a stable condition in Gold Coast University Hospital.

The man was trapped near Main Western Rd.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) received calls at about 10.30am on Tuesday, saying the man had become stuck in the tree after flying off Mount Tamborine near Main Western Rd.

Officer in Charge of Tamborine Ambulance Station Sean Breeden said the paraglider “descended a little too quickly” after launching off the cliff.

Three firefighting units from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFS) joined paramedics on-scene after QAS requested backup, which saw people up “on ropes” and in “harnesses” to “get him out of the tree and back up” the mountain.

“(He) was a fair way down in the escarpment, about seven metres up in a tree, and was complaining of significant back pain,” the officer said.

Emergency services at the scene. Picture: 9 News Gold Coast.

While paramedics treated the paraglider, QFS helped to free him from the tree.

“It was a difficult extrication, luckily his injury gave us time, so we were able to (free him) safely,” Mr Breedan said.

After two hours, the man was brought down from the tree, but “an extrication effort was underway to get him untangled,” a QAS spokesperson told the Bulletin earlier.

The hinterland region of the Gold Coast is popular with paragliders and hang-gliders.