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B.C. paraglider recalls his Canada Day spent stuck in a tree

Jack Pincus 91Ƶunlucky91Ƶ but unhurt on long weekend launch, rescuers free him after about 2 hours

Jack Pincus decided to spend his Canada Day in the air, paragliding. A member of the West Coast Soaring Club, he ventured by vehicle around the Beaufort Range from his home in the Comox Valley to meet friends at a launch spot on the Alberni Valley side.

What he didn91Ƶt expect was to be hung up at the top of a tree, 35 metres above ground.

91ƵThere were a few of us up there,91Ƶ Pincus said. 91ƵWhen I launched there was a gust that pushed me sideways. Everything to the front was free and to the left was a tree. I found the tree.91Ƶ

The pilot who launched before Pincus 91Ƶhad a very successful flight. I got unlucky,91Ƶ he said.

After the pilot on the ground tried unsuccessfully to find an arborist to assist Pincus, they decided to call search and rescue.

The Alberni Valley Rescue Society sent a hoist team with Ascent Helicopters as well as a ground team and called Dave Potter from Totem Tree Services for assistance.

The rescue was a first for Potter, a climbing arborist who owns and operates Totem Tree Services.

91ƵIt91Ƶs a bit unusual,91Ƶ Potter said after the rescue. 91ƵI91Ƶve heard of paragliders getting caught in trees before; this was the first one for us.91Ƶ

Potter and the small team of rescuers were airlifted to a logging road near the site at Mount Irwin for expediency. Pincus had already been hung up in a seated position for nearly two hours by the time rescuers arrived (the harnesses they use for flying are designed for sitting, Pincus said). He was appropriately dressed and he had water with him.

91ƵWe hiked down to the base of the big tree and climbed to the top, which was where he was stuck,91Ƶ Potter said. 91ƵWe set up a system for him to be able to exit the tree.91Ƶ

Potter explained that Pincus was not injured but he had no way of getting down from that high up in the tree.

91ƵI was able to set up a rope by him and hook up to one of the descending devices. He had some experience with rappelling too.91Ƶ

Potter and fellow arborists train for this kind of aerial rescue, so although the call was unusual he was trained for it.

Pincus said the rescue went quickly once Potter was up in the tree with him.

91ƵThey were fast and efficient and professional,91Ƶ Pincus said of the rescuers. 91ƵI91Ƶm really thankful for all the help I got. That91Ƶs the story for me is these guys took off on their Canada Day.91Ƶ

Paragliding is a Transport Canada-regulated sport. The soaring club also has a land access agreement with Mosaic to use the launch site on weekends and holidays.

91ƵWe91Ƶre trying to follow the rules, we91Ƶre prepared and every once in a while things happen beyond our control,91Ƶ Pincus said.

He and Potter were supposed to go back to the site of the incident and retrieve Pincus91Ƶs paragliding wing from the tree the following weekend.



Susie Quinn

About the Author: Susie Quinn

A journalist since 1987, I have been the Alberni Valley News editor since August 2006.
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