TWO paragliders were taken to hospital by helicopter yesterday after they crash-landed at Dragonback Ridge near Shek O.
The men, members of the Hong Kong Paragliding Association, were caught in a downwind as they sailed on easterly winds over the ridge at 5 pm, a few hours after the first tropical cyclone warning of the year was raised.
Frenchman Philippe Claudet Quinet, 32, suffered a suspected fractured spine while his friend, Israeli Eran Efrat, 37, had minor injuries. Both appeared to be in shock.
Two ambulance teams and fire officers made their way through thick bush to reach the two men. They administered first aid and kept them warm until the Government Flying Service helicopter arrived.
Mr Efrat, who said he had been paragliding for three years, described how the two were suddenly swept towards the ground after crossing the top of the ridge.
''The wind picked up very suddenly and took us over the ridge,'' he said. ''On the other side the wind can go into a rotary motion. It can make you drop or collapse the canopy.'' He said he was unsure exactly what happened, but remembers hitting the ground at speed on the side of the ridge.