Lost control mid-air, Russian paraglider pilot hangs from 200 feet-high power lines

A Russian paraglider was rescued after remaining trapped in 33-kV wires near Mandi for three hours. The operation brought multiple emergency agencies together and disrupted highway traffic.After an operation lasting around three hours, the Russian national was successfully rescued. (Credits: Dharam Veer)Mandi, Himachal Pradesh,Nov 10, 2026 19:49 ISTA Russian paraglider pilot was rescued after getting trapped in 33-kV high-tension electricity wires at a height of around 200 feet near Tandu on the Mandi-Padhar highway in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday.The pilot remained suspended in the wires for nearly three hours before a joint rescue operation brought him to safety.The pilot had taken off from Bir Billing, a popular paragliding destination, at around 2 pm. During the flight, he reportedly lost control and became entangled in the high-voltage power lines near Tandu. The incident triggered concern among people at the spot, as the pilot was left hanging several feet above the ground.After receiving information about the incident, the administration and emergency response teams rushed to the location. The electricity supply to the 33-kV line was first switched off to eliminate the risk of electrocution during the rescue operation. The rescue teams then used machinery belonging to Gawar Construction Company, which is engaged in road construction in the area, to reach the stranded pilot. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire services and police department also assisted in the operation.SDRF personnel from Sundernagar, particularly jawan Naveen Kumar, played a key role in the rescue. He reached the pilot at a height of nearly 200 feet and helped bring him down safely. After an operation lasting around three hours, the Russian national was successfully rescued. He was subsequently taken to the Zonal Hospital in Mandi for primary treatment and admitted for medical care.MANDI OFFICIALS MONITOR RESCUE OPERATIONSenior district and police officials reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and supervised the rescue efforts.Deputy Commissioner Mandi Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar, Padhar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surjeet Singh, Sadar SDM and Deputy Superintendent of Police Lokender Negi were among the officials who monitored the operation.The officials coordinated with the different departments to arrange the necessary resources and ensure that the rescue was carried out safely. Switching off the power supply before personnel approached the pilot was a key step in preventing a possible electrical accident.TRAFFIC ON MANDI-PADHAR HIGHWAY AFFECTED FOR THREE HOURSThe rescue operation also affected traffic on the Mandi-Padhar Super Highway, where movement remained disrupted for nearly three hours.A large number of people gathered near the incident site, while the movement of rescue teams and construction machinery required additional space on the road. This led to long queues of vehicles on the highway.Police personnel managed traffic and kept the area clear to allow rescue teams to carry out their work. Commuters faced inconvenience during the operation, but traffic arrangements were maintained until the pilot was brought down safely.The successful rescue brought an end to a nearly three-hour-long operation, during which multiple emergency services and local resources worked together to save the stranded pilot.- EndsWith inputs from Dharam Veer