Paraglider rescued by fire crews after getting stuck in tree near Harborough

Emergency services were called after the man was spotted dangling from the branches along the A508 at 10.30am on Wednesday, November 26.

Firefighters used an aerial ladder to reach the stranded flyer who was unharmed despite crash landing in the tree where he was stuck for more than two hours.

Van driver Jon Pollard was passing by at the time and managed to capture images of the paraglider as he was suspended helplessly in the air.

Jon, 62, of Market Harborough, said: "I drive a van for Travis Perkins and I'm sometimes in that area. You tend to hear the paragliders rather than see them too often.

"When you do see them it's at around a thousand feet in the air - not stuck 20ft up in a tree.

"I was driving along the lane and I could see the road was closed and I could just make out this fella in the distance dangling from a tree with somebody trying to rescue him.

"But I think they thought the telehandler wasn't the best idea so waited for the fire service to arrive.

"I was tempted to go over and say 'you can't park there mate'.

"I think he maybe got into a bit of trouble and was trying to land in the field and just came up a little short."

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The man was stuck in the paraglider, which was suspended between two trees eight metres above the road.

“Thankfully he was not injured and was able to communicate with emergency services.

“The Fire Service used its aerial ladder to help rescue the man and recover the paraglider, and he has been left with paramedics for assessment.”

Northamptonshire Police said it was called by a member of the public and contacted the fire service.

The A508 near Clipston and Arthingworth – between Kelmarsh and Market Harborough – was shut by police during the incident, which was over by 1pm.