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Paraglider gets tangled in wires, closing Highway 97 southbound in Vernon

The paraglider allegedly ran out of gas and made an unexpected landing; detour in effect
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The pilot of a power parachute made an unexpected landing in Vernon, getting tangled in telephone wires above Highway 97 near London Drugs Friday, June 2, 2023. The highway is closed southbound while crews attend to the incident. (Submitted photo)

A paraglider made an unexpected landing and got tangled in some telephone wires in the north end of Vernon Friday evening, closing Highway 97 southbound around the scene.

A witness told Black Press Media that emergency personnel are on scene on Highway 97 near London Drugs, where a power parachute came down in the middle of the roadway just before 8 p.m. June 2. A photo shared with Black Press Media shows the parachute hanging from wires down to the highway surface, with the pilot suspended in the air.

The pilot of the power parachute allegedly ran out of gas, and was seen being checked out by crews.

The highway is closed to southbound traffic and a detour is in effect.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services is on scene.

It is currently unknown if the pilot suffered injuries as a result of the landing.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Brendan Shykora
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Brendan Shykora

About the Author: Brendan Shykora

I started as a carrier at the age of 8. In 2019 graduated from the Master of Journalism program at Carleton University.
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