SAR assists downed paraglider

On Sept. 27, the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team responded to the report of a downed paraglider. Frederick Bourgeault, 37, crashed his paraglider approximately two miles west of the White Mountain Research Station’s Barcroft Laboratory near Barcroft Peak. Bourgeault’s paraglider was spotted from the air by a passing aircraft. The SAR Team, along with Careflight, was dispatched to the area. Careflight was unable to attempt extrication due to darkness, altitude, and steep terrain so a night vision helicopter was requested from Fallon Naval Air Station.

The SAR Team hiked to the crash site while the Fallon helicopter located Bourgeault and landed nearby. SAR members along with helicopter medics loaded Bourgeault onto the helicopter where he was flown to Bishop Airport. Symons ambulance transported him to Northern Inyo Hospital, but due to the extent of his injuries, he was transported to Stanford Medical Center. –Mono County Sheriff’s Dept.