GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Witnesses spoke with Valley News Live after a paraglider crashed into the Red River in Grand Forks.
The accident happened Tuesday evening, where the paraglider made it safely back on land.
An exclusive video sent in from VNL viewer Dusty Howlett in Grand Forks captured the moment the paraglider hit a power line and then crashed into the Red River.
Howlett spoke in a live interview on Valley News Live on Wednesday, July 9.
“I was caught off guard because I didn’t see the power lines there either. So immediately, I stopped filming, and then I called 911,” said Howlett.
Howlett was with his friend Nate Millard, who also witnessed the scene.
“The first instinct was just to run down to the boat ramp and see what I could do, but as I’m running, I’m thinking, ‘Was he electrocuted?’ ‘Was he knocked unconscious?’ when he hit the water,” said Millard.
According to the Grand Forks Fire Department, crews were called out around 8:38 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, to the Riverside Dam boat ramp, where they found the paraglider in the river.
“‘How was he buckled into the thing?’ because as you could see the tires poking up, he was obviously upside down in the water,” said Millard.
When rescue crews reached him, they found that he was unhurt in the crash and assisted him in getting to shore.
“When I saw his head poke up, I was very relieved,” said Millard.
Captain Scott Nicola of the Grand Forks Fire Department shared what to do in a situation where one is stranded in the water.
“When this happens, we don’t know any rules or regulations on where he should’ve been, if he should’ve been here, or shouldn’t have been there. Our job is to rescue. One thing I can say is any time you’re going to be by the water, flying over the water, or being in a boat, having your life preserver on can help save you there,” said Nicola.
Multiple agencies assisted in the rescue efforts, with a total of two engines, one ladder truck, one command vehicle, two rescue boats, and 11 personnel responding.
“The police department, the fire department, and the water rescue team—they were here within three minutes. Props to them because it was really impressive and they’re really good at their jobs. I’m just really grateful the guy is okay,” said Howlett.
Additionally, the Grand Forks Fire Dept. is reminding people to wear a life jacket when operating equipment near water.
