Paraglider on Maui MedEvaced after Crashing into Trees

Maui County Paramedics Association Paramedics & EMT's receive a patient from MFD's R10 personnel at Keokeo park.jpg Maui County Paramedics Association Paramedics & EMT's receive a patient from MFD's R10 personnel at Keokeo park. Photo by Andrew Garthright.

By Wendy Osher

Crews from the Maui County Paramedics Association were dispatched to the tree line South East of Kula Hospital for reports of a paraglider that suffered apparent trouble during flight.

Authorities say the paraglider crashed into the trees and then the hillside of Haleakala mountain.

The 49 year-old-male patient was reported to be with head injuries, said MCPA spokesperson Ryan Joslin.

Maui Fire Departments Engine 13 from Kula, Rescue 10 from Kahului, and the departments Air 1 helicopter assisted with the call.

Crews transported the patient to the nearby Keokea Park where the awaiting MedEvac and ground ambulance initiated advanced life support care.

The patient was flown to the Maui Memorial Medical Center and transferred to an awaiting trauma team in the Emergency Department.