MANDI, HIMACHAL PRADESH – A Russian paraglider, identified as Evakin Alexei, was successfully rescued in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district after becoming entangled in high-tension electricity wires for over two and a half hours. The incident occurred near Mehad village, approximately 5 kilometers from Mandi town, where the pilot was suspended at a height of nearly 150 meters.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the paraglider had taken off from Billing in Kangra district. Strong winds reportedly swept him off course, leading to him getting entangled in the power lines along the Pathankot-Mandi highway. The local administration was alerted by residents, and power supply to the lines was immediately switched off as a precautionary measure.
The rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including the district administration, police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and personnel from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Gawar Company. A 146-meter crane was deployed to reach the stranded pilot. As a safety measure, bystanders spread tarpaulins and mattresses on the ground below the high-tension wires. The Pathankot-Mandi highway was temporarily closed to heavy vehicles during the crane assembly and the execution of the rescue.
SDRF jawan Naveen Kumar played a crucial role in the operation, reaching the paraglider at the significant height and assisting in his safe descent. The entire operation lasted for approximately three hours. The rescued paraglider, identified as Alexei, sustained no apparent injuries and was subsequently taken to the Zonal Hospital in Mandi for a routine medical examination, as confirmed by officials.
This incident is one of several recent paragliding-related accidents in the region. Earlier this month, an Austrian pilot was injured after crashing in the Jogindernagar subdivision of Mandi. In October, a Bulgarian paraglider died, and his British companion was rescued near Dharamshala following separate incidents.
The Chenab Times News Desk
