A paraglider and a hang glider were rescued from the Aspen Mountain area on Sunday after they collided midair, injuring each other, according to the sheriff’s office.
Mountain Rescue Aspen crews responded to the crash, and an Aspen Mountain ranger made contact with the injured duo shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday, according to a from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
One of the two sustained minor injuries and walked uphill to the road, sheriff’s officials said. That person was evaluated by paramedics on scene but declined further medical care.
The second person had to be rescued from the mountain using a stretcher and a rope system, according to the release. Paramedics took the recreationist to the hospital in unknown condition.
Nearly three dozen Mountain Rescue Aspen crew members were involved in the rescue operation, sheriff’s officials said in the release. All patients and Mountain Rescue Aspen crews were out of the field by 1:22 p.m. Sunday.
“The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds individuals participating in paragliding, hang gliding, and other mountain aviation to maintain appropriate separation from other aircraft and carry reliable communication and safety equipment,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
