Paraglider airlifted to hospital after crashing in Elche

A paraglider in his 40s was injured after crashing in the Camino del Carabassi area, near Arenales del Sol and Santa Pola. Elche Local Police coordinated the assistance for the injured man, who had to be evacuated by helicopter to the Elche General University Hospital after receiving initial treatment at the scene of the accident.

The alert was raised on Saturday afternoon, 27th June, reporting an injured paraglider in an area close to the coast of Elche. Upon arrival, officers found the man conscious, semi-upright on a rock, and accompanied by a witness who had seen the fall and contacted emergency services via 112.

The witness, an off-duty regional police officer, provided initial assistance to the injured man by keeping him still and calm until the arrival of emergency and police services. Elche Local Police secured the intervention zone, established a safety perimeter, and facilitated access for the emergency teams.

During the initial assessment, officers verified that the paraglider remained conscious and orientated but was in intense pain in several areas of his body. To avoid serious complications from the impact, officers prevented any unnecessary movement until health workers arrived to stabilise and immobilise the patient.

Subsequently, a health emergency helicopter landed nearby and urgently evacuated the paraglider to the Elche General University Hospital. The injured man presented several traumatic injuries and was pending further diagnostic tests to determine the final extent of his injuries.

Officers from the Santa Pola Local Police also participated in the operation, collaborating in securing the site, coordinating the intervention, and supporting the deployed medical resources.

Following the evacuation, officers conducted several enquiries regarding the paragliding activity in the area and documented the items found at the scene. This information has been passed to the competent bodies to verify licences, insurance, certifications, and other administrative and safety requirements. Elche Local Police reminded the public of the importance of extreme caution in high-risk sports, using appropriate equipment, and immediately contacting emergency services in the event of an accident.