A paragliding pilot suffered a moderate back injury in a crash near Queenstown yesterday.
The 44-year-old man, who works for Skytrek Hang Gliding and Paragliding, and his paying tandem passenger were airlifted from a hillside near Coronet Peak after crashing about 11am.
The passenger, believed to be a visitor in her early 30s, received minor injuries.
St John Central Otago-Southland Lakes territory manager Kelvin Perriman said the pilot was taken to Lakes District Hospital.
"We’re now investigating with the CAA the reasons for that."
Six police officers attended the incident.
Paramedics were winched down to the crash site from the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust helicopter and placed the pair on stretchers suspended from the helicopter, which were brought down to the ambulance.
In a media release the paragliding company said weather conditions were "stable" at the time of the accident.
It had suspended its flying operations and was investigating.
