Paraglider seriously injured in crash near Neukirchen

A 67-year-old paraglider was seriously injured after crashing into a tree shortly after take-off near Neukirchen am Großvenediger in Salzburg’s Pinzgau region on Saturday, ORF reported. A rescue helicopter took him to the district hospital in St Johann in Tyrol before he was transferred to Innsbruck University Hospital.

The Irish national, who lives in Austria, took off shortly before 1 p.m. from the Gensbichlscharte in the Wildkogel ski resort. He then fell into alpine terrain and hit a tree.

The cause of the crash remains unclear. Alpine police from Zell am See are investigating. Police said there was no indication that a third party was responsible.