Mountain rescuers rushed to help a paraglider who suffered serious injuries in a hillside crash on Saturday November 13.

The Longtown Mountain Rescue Team from Abergavenny was called out to Hay Bluff in the Black Mountains to help the stricken man, who needed airlifting to hospital by helicopter in a difficult operation.

A team spokesperson said: “Late this morning the team were contacted by Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police to reports of a crashed paraglider.

“Initial reports were of a knee injury but after further investigation and contact with the casualty’s friends it became clear that the injuries were severe.

“Very quickly we had a team member on the hill at the scene, with the rest of the team on route and not far behind.

“Due to the severity and concern for the casualty we requested support from Maritime and Coastguard Agency who sent Rescue 187 from St Athans.

“The casualty’s location and injuries meant that winching onto the helicopter would be difficult and it was decided that the best option was for the team to raise the casualty up the hill slope first.

“To achieve this the helicopter did shuttle lifts to get the team and its equipment from Hay Common to the summit in record time!

“Once on the summit, the team set up a rope raise system, got the casualty onto a stretcher and were able to raise him up slowly before transferring him to the waiting helicopter for onward travel to hospital.

“We wish him a full and speedy recovery!

“We would like to say big thank you to #Rescue187 for their help as always, to the casualty’s friends who stayed with him throughout and also the passing paramedic who was able to give immediate medical aid.”

The injured paraglider, Greg Chilton from Cheltenham, later posted his gratitude on the team’s Facebook page.

“I can’t thank both services enough. Such professional levels of teamwork. Please send my thanks and gratitude on to those involved,” he said.

“Unfortunately I’m pretty immobile at the moment but in good spirits.

“I’d like to try and give back once I’m back on my feet and moving with some fundraising. Can’t thank you all enough!”

The team replied: “Hope you have a speedy recovery and are back flying soon! Keep us updated on how you get on.”

And Robert Glendinning of Rescue 187 added: “Glad we could help Greg. Wishing you a speedy recovery from all at St Athan SAR.”

Staffed by volunteers and entirely self-funded, Longtown Mountain Rescue Team based at Abergavenny’s Union Road Industrial Estate responds to calls from police for assistance in the Black Mountains and into Herefordshire for injured and missing people.

The team is on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out its essential life-saving rescue service.

To help raise funds, it has just launched its Longtown Mountain Rescue 2022 calendar featuring images of the Black Mountains.

Calendars are £12, including postage and packing, and are available to buy online using the link www.paypal.com/paypalme/longtownmrt/12

Calendars can also be ordered by email at [email protected] or by messaging the team on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/longtownmrt