A HEREFORDSHIRE man has been evacuated after his paraglider crashed into a remote mountainside in Asia.

Steven Mackintosh, from Ross-on-Wye, was saved by a globally-coordinated rescue mission after his paraglider was caught in a strong downdraft from a developing storm.

Mr Mackintosh, known to his friends as Tosh, had been attempting a solo adventure to cross the length of the Nepal Himalayas by paraglider and foot.

He was entirely self-sufficient carrying all his food, tent and equipment, although many times he also enjoyed the hospitality of the locals where he landed.

OTHER NEWS:

On day 13 and nearly halfway across Nepal, Mr Mackintosh, 54, had been paragliding for nearly three-and-a-half hours when he attempted to find some raising air on the edge of a mountain spur.

A building cloud in the next valley started to drop rain and with it a gust of wind pushed the glider into a valley with no landing options.

Paraglider Steven Mackintosh was flying over Nepals Himalayas

Paraglider Steven Mackintosh was flying over Nepal's Himalayas

Mr Mackintosh said he used his 30 years of piloting experience and controlled the glider through the turbulent air, but was faced with the inevitable fate of having nowhere to land.

After recovering the glider from one collapse he attempted to land on the hill within the trees, but he was swung into the ground and suffered multiple injuries to his left side.

OTHER NEWS:

He stayed conscious and realised the extent of his injuries, so pressed the SOS button on his Garmin InReach, a device which sends a satellite notification to his followers back in the UK and to Global Rescue that he was in need of medical help.

A support group of family and pilot friends quickly formed and between the Global Rescue operation in the USA and Australia, a coordinated rescue was started.

A helicopter from Nepal was scrambled by international rescuers

A helicopter from Nepal was scrambled by international rescuers

Mr Mackintosh, who is trained in mountain first aid, was able to splint up his broken wrist, manage his pain and check his vital conditions.

Local Nepali farmers also arrived on the scene and under Mr Mackintosh's instruction, were able to make the glider safe and provide support for him.

OTHER NEWS:

Global Rescue dispatched a rescue helicopter from the city of Pokhara, and with the helicopter co-pilot speaking on a phone to the locals, an area was made safe to drop in and rescue the stranded Ross-on-Wye businessman.

He was then flown to a hospital in Pokhara just before nightfall for initial trauma care.

Locals rushed to the aid of paraglider Steven Mackintosh after the crash

Locals rushed to the aid of paraglider Steven Mackintosh after the crash

A good friend from the UK then travelled over to help repatriate Mr Mackintosh.

After an emotional reunion with his family at Gatwick Airport in the South East, Mr Mackintosh was taken to Hereford County Hospital within 55 hours of the incident, where he is now waiting for surgery to his wrist.

In reflection, Mr Mackintosh said: "Extreme aviation adventures like this carries risk, the weather in the high mountains is an unpredictable natural force which you can’t always anticipate, I was caught out this time for sure, but luckily my injuries weren’t worse.

"Fortunately I was prepared and I am so grateful for so many who dedicated enormous effort in my rescue."

The adventurer is sponsored by Trekitt Mountain Sports in Hereford which helped with selecting his equipment for the adventure.