Paragliders collide in mid-air sending them plunging into trees 4,500ft below in terrifying footage
- Sebastien Watier, 31, found himself hurtling towards the ground from 4,757ft
- He collided with a paraglider due to converging winds and both fell into woods
- Their fall was broken by trees, but Mr watier lost consciousness being hung up
This is the terrifying moment two paragliders collide in mid air sending them plummeting downwards into woodland at speed.
Sebastien Watier, 31, from France, found himself hurtling towards the ground from the height of 4,757ft with a tangled parachute after hitting a female paraglider.
The experienced paraglider lost control when converging winds caused him and one of his paragliding group to collide near Aiguebelette Lake, Savoie, France, on Friday May 22.
Footage from Mr Watier’s body camera shows the moment he realises another paraglider is heading straight for him from behind.
He can be heard shouting a profanity in French as he tries to regain control of the tangled parachute and deploy the rescue wing.
Mr Watier, who has been paramotoring for five years and paragliding for one, said that both him and his co-flyer were equally to blame as they weren’t paying attention to wind currents.
Footage from Mr Watier’s body camera shows the moment he begins to lose control of his parachute after he is hit by another paraglider
He can be heard shouting a profanity in French as he tries to regain control of the tangled parachute and deploy the rescue wing while plummeting towards the trees
The footage ends with Mr Watier’s parachute becoming stuck in the trees and leaving him stranded in the trees
He said: ‘The collision happened at 4757ft (1450m) up in the air and we finished our course 984ft (300m) down in the trees.
‘As far as the circumstances are concerned, we’re both equally guilty as we were both in a thermal wind on converging routes.
‘A lack of attention from both of us lead to the collision. The lady did not suffer any injuries.
Mr Watier suffered a slight episode of unconsciousness after landing due to the restrictive harness suspending him from the trees.
Sebastien Watier, 31, from France. Has practised paramotor (paragliding with a motor) for five years and paragliding for one year
Mr Watier making a normal and safe landing while paragliding. During the crash landing he became stuck in the trees causing him to lose consciousness
He added: ‘I was suspended 16ft (5m) above the ground so I suffered harness hang syndrome which caused me to lose consciousness for 10 minutes.
‘During the incident I stayed very calm to manage the situation as best as could.
‘After speaking to several instructors, they confirmed that bringing down the main wing to allow the rescue wing to deploy is very complicated when the wing is twisted above.’