Terrifying moment Irish tourist is injured when her paragliding instructor loses control over busy road in Peru
This is the dramatic moment an Irish tourist cheats death in a paragliding accident in Peru after her instructor lost control.
The pair plunged onto a busy coastal road and were rushed to hospital after being stabilised at the scene.
Extraordinary footage showed them veering out of control towards cars beneath them before appearing to snag on a lamp post between the two sections of highway.
The unnamed holidaymaker, described locally as an Irish national, was later pictured on her back on the road.
She was taken conscious to hospital and her life is not thought to be in any danger, although the exact nature of her injuries have not yet been revealed.
The near-tragedy occurred on an oceanfront highway located in the Peruvian capital Lima called the Costa Verde in the district of Miraflores.
Local officials blamed the accident on strong winds which prevented the instructor landing at Parapuerto Miraflores, the only official and formal place for paragliding in Lima, and having to opt for an alternative beach landing spot instead which the pair never managed to make.
A spokesman for the Peruvian Association of Aerosport Tourism said in a statement the emergency landing occurred around 5pm local time yesterday near to a beach called Punta Roquitas.
He said: 'The landing took place because the instructor and passenger couldn't land in the Miraflores Parapuerto due to the wind conditions and had to opt for an alternative landing in this part of the coast.
'Pilot Leonardo Sebastian Agreda Rojas, who has more than ten years of hand gliding experience, manoeuvred in the best way possible to try to reach the alternate landing area but crosswinds in the area meant he had to make an emergency landing on the green area separating the two sections of highway.
'He prioritised at all times his physical wellbeing and that of his companion.'
Thanking emergency responders for their swift response, the association added: 'Both were transferred to a local clinic and are stable, with minor injuries, and in good physical condition generally.'
An investigation is now underway into the incident and normal activity at Miraflores Parapuerto has been halted for three days so operational procedures can be reviewed.
Local reports said the Irish tourist, who was taken to Lima's Casimiro Ulloa Hospital on a stretcher, hurt her left leg during the emergency landing.
Cars were travelling at speed either side of the spot where the pair landed and although they survived the initial drama, they would have been seriously injured or worse if they had been run over.
The instructor's passenger was conscious and sitting up when paramedics arrived, although she looked dazed.
One local watching the scene unfold said: 'It was a miracle no-one died.'
The paragliding experience above Lima's Miraflores district is sold to tourists online with the message: 'Fly above Miraflores as the birds do, you don't need to know anything about flying, the pilot will take care of all, just walk, fly and enjoy.
'Paragliding is the most simple and free way to fly; no sounds or vibrations, just you and the wind. Miraflores has never been seen in such a wide beauty. Miraflores from the sky… will amaze you!'
One traveller who recently enjoyed the experience said on Tripadvisor: 'I just walked up and did it, so I didn't have time to be nervous. I was paired with Marco, who made the experience fun as well as thrilling. After the initial shock of being in the air, the experience is actually quite serene.
'The Malecon de Miraflores is such a unique space where the sea meets the city. This is the perfect way to observe the area.'
Another added: 'This is by far the highlight of my time in Miraflores. It is really exciting and fun and it has amazing views. The staff are friendly and helpful. The price is pretty good too.
I highly recommend people try this at least once.'
In January 2000 a man who had been lying in a Peruvian hospital for 18 days after a paragliding accident regained consciousness and was identified as 27-year-old Paschal McDaid from Knocknacarra in Galway.
He sustained his injuries on December 22 1999 in the accident which happened while he was with an instructor but it wasn't until later on that his family confirmed his full identity based on tattoos he had on his arms.
On Sunday a grandfather plunged to his death in a hang gliding accident in southern Brazil.
Ricardo Stecanella, 52, was taking off from a mountain in the southern state of Santa Catarina when tragedy struck.
