On nice May 20th 2007. I was captain of the Dunstable team at the BCC.
A couple of pilots had taken off in the light breeze and just missed the house thermal, over the factory, but pin pointed it for me.
I had had enough of waiting for the light breeze to get us off, so took the chance of hitting it or getting a lift back with the other 2, hope springs eternal, when you are a paraglider pilot!
I took off and glided to the spot, I did not lose much height getting there and then I got it spot on, I started turning in it and was rising nicely, I saw another para take off. Nice, he hit it below me a little and we climbed up and over the top of the ridge. I saw the other guy go off north, with a little more lift there than I had, so I went to connect with it and follow, unfortunately, I did not get there in time and sank back to the ridge, darn it, it could have been my 3rd xc in the BCC.
Anyway, a little while later after hunting the spot for that thermal, I could see the ridge was dead of wind and I was getting to the point of land on top or bottom, well I chose top for the best of reasons. On landing, the wind had died to 3 mph, so I joined Adam another team member still on the hill, he commiseratedwith me and i decided to have another go if the wind would pick back up, we had a few feels and waited, a guy was testing a wing to buy, so we watched him take off, there was some breeze beginning to stir, the guy did a beat to the left of us, when he turned to return, he had a small collapse, but a bit too close to ground for any type of collapse, so we held our breath before he reapeared, he then went straight for a bottom landing, must have made up his mind on that wing pretty quick!
Well to get to the main point of this particular story, Adam and I tested the wind, but decided, with another guy to sit and wait, as you do, with our wings still ready behind us!
As I was behind the other 2 and in the middle, I was the first to notice their wings rolloing toward them and the front of the hill, I looked at mine as I shouted to grab their wings,I stood up as mine was rolling not off the ground at all, past my right side, I went to kill the wing, by pulling a line, mistake, as the lines were now well and truly turned round, the wing powered up but did not lift up at all, it just pulled me to the front of the edge, I grabbed the rock, as Adam who had got his wing in quick, was next to me as was the other people, but no soone had I looked at my wing hanging down the front of Merthyr than it pulled me straight off the rock and down the face. All I could say was Oh Shit. as I felt my hands rip of the rock, the next thing I remember was everyone aroud me again and telling me not to move, some hope I thought, what bastard is kneeling on my chest, get off my chest I said, soory Adam I think said we have to get you kit off mate, no one is on your chest. Fuck it, why am I not able to get a breath then I said, as well as 'don't cut my lines or I won't be able to fly it again'? as if I did not have a few better things to worry about. I know since, that I was a very lucky bunny, as it was they did not cut the lines. so thanks guys. The helicopter came, very quick as I recall, but then I was out of it most of the time, I remember a bit about getting in to the heli, but only remember Adams voice at the scene, Gerrit was there and apparently came to the hospital when I arrived at casualty. Thanks again Gerrit, Adam and the other guys who were there that day, not least the helicopter crew, who although I only remember the odd veiw of blades going round, the rest is blank, apart from the moment in casualty, when they made sure I could feel below my waist, not nice at all.
As a result of the fall. I had broken 8 ribs, cracked the breast bone, crushed the T3&4 vertebra and of course punctured a lung. Nice, well 3 weeks in hospital and 3 months in a brace took its toll. I got back with a few smooth flights at Dunstable, about August, it took a long time to build my leg muscles up again and had a few months of hydro therapy to help, I still need to gain some more but I am now up to 54kilo's so 4 more to get on before I am back up to weight. I got back to work on April 1st. great, they must have a sense of humour?
So the moral of this story is. when waiting to fly either sit on the wing, or get out of the harness. A lesson learned should be passed on for the benefit of others. As to how the wind switched from a gentle breeze 3 to 5 mph at 260 deg, then 25 mph plus from 90 deg? that the weather for you, always ready to bite your ass. So keep safe all you fliers out there. See you on some hill soon.
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