Paraglider flown to hospital after Treble Cone crash
By Marjorie Cook
Wellington paraglider Kris Erikson was treated in Lakes District Hospital at Frankton for a back injury yesterday after crashing heavily on Treble Cone during the New Zealand Paragliding Championships. Competition spokesman Peter Groves said Kris Erikson (46) was treated by an Auckland pilot who is also a St John paramedic, another pilot who is a St John ambulance officer, and Wanaka pilot Harmony Gaw, who has first aid training. It appeared Mr Erikson had a lower back or pelvic injury and heavy bruising, Mr Groves said. “He was in good spirits and hopefully he will be back over in a few days.” Mr Erikson was flown off Treble Cone by a Queenstown rescue helicopter because of the difficult access and potentially serious nature of his injuries, a St John Ambulance spokeswoman said yesterday. He had crashed about 2.30pm on the mountain slope about 500m below the Treble Cone base building and away from the four-wheel-drive road.