Khaberni - An American paraglider collided with a high-voltage electricity pole on the Thai island of "Koh Larn," resulting in a complete power outage across the entire island to enable specialized teams to rescue him from a high altitude.
According to the "nationthailand" newspaper, the rescue unit of the "Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan" Foundation in Pattaya received a report on Monday evening about an accident involving a foreign athlete at the "Ta Waien" beach area.
The field teams and police rushed to the site, where it was discovered that 55-year-old American citizen "Michael Travis Langhart" was stuck more than 10 meters high.
The field teams observed the paraglider hanging upside down after his parachute strings and flying gear tangled with the electric tower wires.
The rescue teams faced significant difficulties in managing the situation, which required urgent coordination with electricity sector officials to completely disconnect the power supply from the island, ensuring the safety of the rescuers and the injured, plunging "Koh Larn" into temporary darkness.
The investigations clarified that the paraglider, who holds a license accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society in Thailand, had launched his parachute from a mountaintop hundreds of meters above sea level but lost control while attempting to land towards the beach, leading to his direct collision with the power tower.
In the end, rescue efforts that lasted about an hour succeeded in lowering him and transporting him to the hospital.
The initial medical reports indicated that he sustained abrasions on his legs and burns due to an electric shock.
