Moab resident injured in paragliding accident

Grand County emergency crews responded to an accident in the backcountry near Castleton Tower following a 911 call at approximately 4 p.m. on Jan. 7 for a person with serious injuries. 

The patient was said to have been base jumping in the area, but no further information was provided at the time of the rescue. In a press release from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 8, Ian Mitchard, 38, suffered serious injuries after taking off from the area with a paraglider used for “speed flying.” The glider collided with the slope when it turned back toward the slope, reports said. Mitchard was flown to St. Mary’s Hospital.

Grand County EMS, Grand County Search and Rescue and Classic Air Medical responded to the accident.

Ian Mitchard, 38, flown to St. Mary’s Hospital