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16/05/2003
Hang-glider crashes on main rail line
A hang-glider pilot is recovering in a Staffordshire hospital after his motorised aircraft hit overhead power lines.
The man in his 60s was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday after the hang-glider hit 25,000 volt high tension overhead power lines that serve the West Coast Main Line close to Yarnfield in Staffordshire.
The hang-glider burst into flames and the man is being treated for serious burns to his back and legs. The man suffered 15% burns and his condition was later described as “stable”.
Staffordshire police were alerted to the incident when passing motorists on the M6 contacted the emergency services shortly after a hang-glider was seen hitting the power lines.
Police said that the man was thought to have taken off in the hang-glider just prior to the incident. A second man who was assisting the pilot on the ground ran to the aid of his stricken friend and dragged the pilot from the burning wreckage which was on the railway line.
The line was closed for a time as the scene was investigated and the wreckage of the hang glider cleared from the track.
Engineers had to shut off the power supply as the crash caused several faults in the signalling equipment in the immediate vicinity of the incident.
A train, which was due to pass the spot within minutes of the crash, was successfully stopped when emergency services alerted the train company.
(SP)
The man in his 60s was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday after the hang-glider hit 25,000 volt high tension overhead power lines that serve the West Coast Main Line close to Yarnfield in Staffordshire.
The hang-glider burst into flames and the man is being treated for serious burns to his back and legs. The man suffered 15% burns and his condition was later described as “stable”.
Staffordshire police were alerted to the incident when passing motorists on the M6 contacted the emergency services shortly after a hang-glider was seen hitting the power lines.
Police said that the man was thought to have taken off in the hang-glider just prior to the incident. A second man who was assisting the pilot on the ground ran to the aid of his stricken friend and dragged the pilot from the burning wreckage which was on the railway line.
The line was closed for a time as the scene was investigated and the wreckage of the hang glider cleared from the track.
Engineers had to shut off the power supply as the crash caused several faults in the signalling equipment in the immediate vicinity of the incident.
A train, which was due to pass the spot within minutes of the crash, was successfully stopped when emergency services alerted the train company.
(SP)
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