Reports of paraglider who 'crashed in Peak District' turns out to be popped pink balloon

Walkers in the Peak District raised the alarm and called out mountaineers after they thought they had seen a paraglider plunging to the ground over Mam Tor ridge in Derbyshire.

The reports of the crashed paraglider was actually a popped balloon, emergency workers discovered when the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation and an air ambulance were called to the scene at 2.30pm on Tuesday, July 21.

While searching for an injured pilot, after the 999 calls, air crews found the crashed glider was actually a deflated pink helium balloon that had been floating over Mam Tor.

A spokesperson for Edale Mountain Rescue Team said in a statement: “A small group of walkers on the Mam Tor ridge had witnessed what they believed to be a paraglider falling through the air and landing somewhere out of sight.

“After a short wait, a sighting of what was thought to be a collapsed canopy was spotted on Back Tor.

“Looking at the terrain and a possible awkward carry out, Buxton Mountain Rescue Team was requested to assist.

“As team members went towards the grid reference, nothing could be seen.

“After quite a bit of searching by the air crew and team members from both teams all that could be found was a party helium balloon.

“It looks like this was a well intentioned false alarm but does highlight the fact that not only can these helium balloons create problems for our wildlife they can also cause a lot of expense and time wasted for the emergency services.”

An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 2.32pm on Tuesday, July 21 to Hope Valley to assist Mountain Rescue.

“We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, a crewed ambulance, a fast response car, a doctor, the air ambulance and a medical first responder.”

Editor's message: Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues. The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.