Paraglider Crash Brings Multi-Agency Response

Quail Canyon: On Saturday, November 27, 2010, at 2:05 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a report of a paraglider that had experienced a rough landing at the Blossom Valley Glider Port, resulting in injuries to the pilot. A rescue response was dispatched including one structural engine, one rescue unit (with a 4x4 utility vehicle), an ALS ambulance, and battalion chief (Lawler).

Lakeside paramedics and CalFire flight crew members stabilize the injured patient.

 On arrival, crews were informed that the patient was at the top of the peak and had suffered spinal injuries due to rough landing. San Diego County Copter 10 had arrived in the area and was attempting to locate a landing zone while ground crews accessed the area.

Additional flight crew members arrive for the carryout to the copter.

 The crews from Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Medic 3 accessed the area by vehicle and made patient contact.The CalFire flight crew had accessed the area and had initiated patient care. Due to the remote location, the decision was made to fly the patient via helicopter to the Rios Little League Field, where they would rendezvous with a ground transport unit.

Crew members load the injured pilot into San Diego Copter 10 for the flight to the Rios Little League Field

After the patient was stabilized, the crew hiked the patient to the helicopter where two Lakeside Paramedics boarded for the short flight to the ball field. From that location, that flight met with Engine 26s (Blossom Valley Station) and M3 (Lake Jennings Station) for ground transport to Sharp Trauma in San Diego.

Assisting Lakeside on this incident was SDSO, Cal Fire, and CHP. A total of nine Lakeside personnel responded to this incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District