Paraglider Injured Landing In Kona Coffee Orchard

***Updated at 4:30 p.m.***

A man operating a paraglider was rescued Saturday after he crashed into a tree in a former coffee orchard in Honaunau.

The fire department’s Chopper 1 located the paraglider tangled in the tree mauka of Highway 11 at about 11:21 a.m.

The man told rescuers that he had gotten into a downward spiral approximately 400 feet above the ground.

A fire department team was able to free the 45-year-old pilot. He was transported to Kona Community Hospital in stable condition.

Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros said the man was complaining of difficulty in breathing and has sustained injuries to his back, leg and ribs.

The fire department was notified of the crash by a ground crew in radio contact with the downed pilot and a man aboard another paraglider.