A paraglider in the French Alps during a storm.
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A grandfather recounted the harrowing experience of his paraglider’s wing giving way while he was 9,000ft above the French Alps.

Steve Barnett, a 57-year-old retired counter-terrorism officer, encountered trouble when he inadvertently flew into a storm cloud, soaking his glider.

A paraglider in the French Alps during a storm.
Steve Barnett, 57, has told how his paraglider’s wing collapsed 9,000ft above the French AlpsCredit: SWNS
A paraglider falling through the air above the French Alps.
Steve flew into a storm cloud, saturating his gliderCredit: Stephen Barnett / SWNS
A paraglider falling through trees after his wing collapsed.
Steve was sent falling 30ft through trees and broke his pelvis when he hit the ground at 40mphCredit: Stephen Barnett / SWNS

The moisture-laden wing failed, prompting an urgent landing attempt that led to a fall of 30ft through a cluster of trees.

Steve broke his pelvis when he hit the ground at 40mph.

He called fellow paraglider Matt Roach, 47, for help.

The pal, in the air at the time, tracked him down and alerted a rescue helicopter.

Steve was airlifted from Passy, in south eastern France, to a hospital near the Italian border.

He was allowed to head home to Seaford, East Sussex, just two days later.

Steve recalled: “There was a big cloud and I started hearing a pitter patter on the wing.

“It came down heavier.

“Then all I could hear was this snapping, crackling and rippling.

“I bounced on the ground and rolled.

Shock vid shows half-frozen paraglider who was sucked 5 MILES into sky by vortex & left shivering in -40C conditions

“It was like someone had kicked me really hard.”

Unfazed, he added: “I can’t wait to get back into the sky.”

Man on a cell phone in a forest after a paragliding accident.
Steve called fellow paraglider Matt Roach for helpCredit: Stephen Barnett / SWNS
Man in hospital gown in a hospital bed.
Steve spent two days in hospital and now says ‘I can’t wait to get back into the sky’Credit: SWNS

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