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.

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.

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

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

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.