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Glider pilot crashes on cliffs below Torrey Pines Gliderport

Posted at 12:14 PM, Jan 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-16 19:42:53-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - San Diego firefighters and lifeguards rescued a glider pilot from the cliffs below the Torrey Pines Gliderport.

The accident happened Tuesday just after 11 a.m. Authorities said the paraglider caught a gust of wind that send him crashing into one of the cliffs.

The man crashed about 180 feet from the top of the 350 foot cliff.

RELATED: 21-year-old rescued after 80-foot cliff fall

Crews said the pilot was in a dangerous position on the cliff face. Firefighters considered using a helicopter for the rescue but were concerned the rotor wash would blow the pilot from the cliff. 

Two rescuers and one paramedic were lowered over the side of the cliff to assess the man and place him onto a litter.

Lifeguards and firefighters then hoisted the man up the cliff. The rescue took more than two hours to complete.

The pilot was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.​​​​​​​