Russian paraglider rescued safely after getting tangled in high-tension wires in Mandi

A Russian paraglider pilot named Evakin Alexey spent three hours trapped about 200 feet in the air after his glider became entangled in a 33-kilovolt high-tension electricity line in Himachal Pradesh. The incident began when the pilot took off from Bir Billing and lost control, ending up trapped near Tandu along the Mandi-Padhar highway.

The Rescue Operation

Authorities quickly shut off the power line to prevent any electrical danger before launching a joint rescue effort. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, fire department, and police rushed to the site alongside local administration officials, including DC Apoorv Devgan and SP Vinod Kumar. Rescuers used a crane from Gawar Construction Company that could reach up to 40 meters, along with a drone to check the situation. SDRF jawan Naveen Kumar climbed to the high spot in very risky conditions and played a key role in bringing the pilot down safely by 4:40 pm.

Traffic and Aftermath

The rescue work forced the closure of the Mandi-Padhar super highway for about three hours, creating long traffic jams as crowds gathered to watch. After being rescued, the pilot was taken to the zonal hospital in Mandi for a medical check-up and admission.

Context

Paragliding sites like Bir Billing are major tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh, drawing flyers from around the world to the rugged Himalayan terrain. High-tension power lines running near transport routes can present serious hazards for aviation sports when pilots drift off course due to wind or loss of control.