(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A 78-year-old British pilot survived a glider crash while flying at a height of 5,000 feet, around 1,000 metres above sea level, at Jebel Jais, in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
The mishap has been blamed on strong winds which made him lose control of the glider, veered off his course and fell down, according to informed sources.
"The senior Briton was lucky enough to settle on a Samar local tree and to be seen by a number of Pakistani labourers at a mountainous site who rushed for help and released him from the top of the tree."
David Willis, an expert of 45 years in paragliding, was flying aboard the glider when the mishap took place around 12pm on Saturday.
"I set a safe site for landing on one of the mountainous slopes, but a strong wind or whirlwind suddenly turned my course and pushed me down that I lost balance and luckily fell onto a tree there."
The pilot, an aviation coach based in Dubai, was rushed to the Saqr Hospital in a national ambulance for treatment and medical care.
Mohammed Al Yaqoubi, whose workers alerted him about the pilot's fall, said the incident actually took place at Wadi Lahasa which is part of the Jebel Jais.
"This was about 200 metres from the mountain road to the peak, the highest in the country at around 1,900 metres above the sea level."
Mohammed Rashid bin Arshid, director of Saqr hospital, said the pilot had sustained several moderate injuries in different parts of his body.
"As per the medical report, the pilot suffered fractures in three ribs, a fracture in a lumbar spine, scratches on the arms and minor bruising in the lung," he said. "The pilot, though getting better, is still receiving treatment at the hospital."
Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt, I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here, I worked as an English language instructor, chief En/Ar translator, proofreader, reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter, correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media, Cairo University, 2014, a bachelor degree in English language and translation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1996, and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation, interpretation, EFL instruction, and reporting. I am interested in technology, aviation, politics, as well as community, parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading, writing, exercising, and surfing the web.
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