On Sunday 8 May 1988, about I. 15 pm, a hang glider was launched from the fixed ramp at Mt Blackheath. After flying for about 10 minutes, it was struck by a violent thermal lift, causing it to lose control and altitude.\u00a0The glider was smashed sideways against the cliff face. It ended up crushed\u00a0between a rock crevice and the limb of a tree 50\u00a0metres below the launching ramp.<\/p>\n
The pilot (John Joseph, 26, of Nenagh Street, North Manly) was pinned in the harness, which was suspended in mid-air beneath the kite. Luckily he only suffered minor injuries and the kite was firmly wedged between a rock crevice and a limb\u00a0of a tree jutting out from rocks. “His associates managed to climb to a rock\u00a0jutment 30 metres above him and join several\u00a0ropes together, which they lowered down to\u00a0him.\u00a0Mr Joseph secured them to his kite to prevent him falling 200 metres to the floor of the\u00a0valley.<\/p>\n
Members of the Katoomba Police Rescue\u00a0Squad comprising Sergeants P. Tunchon and\u00a0C. Hiley, Constables First Class W. Pearce, V.\u00a0Hurley, G. Chapman and ambulancemen M.\u00a0Walters, S. Hodge and D. Sothers, responded\u00a0to the emergency alarm.\u00a0They were joined by personnel from the\u00a0Blackheath Bush Fire Brigade led by Captain\u00a0Jim Crowther.\u00a0The group combined in a hazardous abseiling rescue operation down the sheer cliff face to\u00a0reach the incapacitated glider.<\/p>\n
After rendering first aid to Mr Joseph, the\u00a0men secured him to a chest and sitting harness.\u00a0He was then cut free from his entangled kite.\u00a0The rescuers, working with the assistance of\u00a0a lashing and snatch block, were able to haul\u00a0Mr Joseph up to the launching ramp. He was treated by ambulancemen at the top of the mountain and returned to his home with his flying\u00a0companions. The police then salvaged Mr Joseph’s extensively damaged glider from the side of the cliff.\u00a0 “<\/p>\n
Source: Blue Mountains Gazette, 11 May 1988<\/p>\n
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