US national rescued by Army’s helicopter in Himachal

New Delhi: Taking prompt action after receiving SOS call, the Indian Army has rescued a US citizen after he was injured when his paraglider hit a rock face in Palampur of Himachal Pradesh. “The citizen, identified as Barry Roberts, was paragliding alone near Palampur in the Kangra Valley around 1500 hrs yesterday, when his paraglider hit a rock face at 3,900 metres altitude, the sources in the Army said. "The International Emergency Response Coordination Centre approached Indira Gandhi International airport (in Delhi) for rescue... who further alerted the Deputy Commissioner, they said.

Immediately, the Kangra Deputy Commissioner approached the 39 Mountain Brigade for rescue operations at 2000 hrs after then the Brigade coordinated with 39 Mountain Division, Northern Command, 9 Corps, Western Command and Air Officer Commanding, Jammu and Kashmir for his rescue.

In the meanwhile, the administration obtained the necessary clearances from the ministry of defence and US Embassy. For Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, the Army deployed its aviation helicopter from Pathankot base, which successfully rescued him from the crash site. The paraglider was later shifted to Delhi. (UNI)