19 Firefighters Save Paraglider in 900-Foot Mountain Rescue

A crashed paraglider trapped on a steep Idaho mountainside owes his life to 19 firefighters who worked through the night in a dramatic rope rescue operation.

The pilot's paraglider lines tangled at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday near Lookout Mountain, southeast of Bellevue. The wing collapsed mid-air, sending him crashing into the rocky mountainside with multiple traumatic injuries.

A friend hiked to reach the injured paraglider and called 911 around 9:25 p.m. as darkness fell. Teams from BC South Fire Protection District, Ketchum Fire District, and Sun Valley Fire Department immediately mobilized for what would become a five-hour rescue mission.

The first three-person team reached the patient at 10:45 p.m., four miles into the wilderness. They quickly placed him in a protective bag and began treating him for hypothermia as temperatures dropped.

More firefighters arrived with specialized climbing gear to tackle the biggest challenge: getting him down safely. The teams created a "leapfrog" anchor system, moving the patient from one secure point to the next down 900 vertical feet of steep terrain.

Paramedics administered multiple rounds of pain medication as the rescue progressed. Every movement had to be careful and calculated to avoid further injury on the treacherous slope.

Why This Inspires

Timing played a crucial role in this rescue's success. BC South Operations Chief Bass Sears revealed that rescue teams had just completed their annual ropes training the week before.

"Crews were sharp, using consistent tactics and equipment," Sears said. Fresh training meant everyone knew exactly what to do when seconds counted.

The coordination between the three departments showed what's possible when communities invest in emergency preparedness. Each agency brought specific skills and equipment, working as one unit rather than three separate teams.

A Life Flight Network helicopter waited at a temporary command post at the mountain's base. Once firefighters safely delivered the patient down, the helicopter rushed him to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello for advanced treatment.

The rescue demonstrates how rural communities prepare for worst-case scenarios in recreational areas. These firefighters train year-round for moments like this, hoping they'll never be needed but ready when they are.