Everett Fire Rescues Hang Glider Pilot From Tree at Upper Howarth Park

May 13, 2012

Everett, Everett Fire

Like he’s done dozens of times since 1985 Darren (last name withheld), a hang glider pilot who lives in south Everett, took off from the upper view area of Everett’s Howarth Park shortly before 5pm Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, instead of spending the next hour and a half gliding above the beach with the seagulls and eagles, he spent roughly that amount of time stuck in a tree 30 feet above the beach. “Pilot error,” said Darren. “The wind wasn’t good enough.” Sisters Racheal Felton and Becky Ferguson were enjoying a day at the park when they witnessed the crash. They told me they watched Darren spend at least 30 minutes getting ready to go off the edge of the cliff above the beach. They said he was wearing a helmet and checking over his equipment. As soon as he pushed away, the nose of the hang glider went straight down and into the trees. Everett Fire battalion chief Ric Cade said technical rescue teams prepared to repel down the cliff while other crews approached the crash site from the rail line below. Freight and Amtrak passenger service on the railroad tracks was halted for a time while Everett Fire crews were on the tracks. After weighing the options, fire crews were able to use a 35 foot ladder to reach Darren who was unhurt and safe in the harness of the hang glider. “I’m not hurt,” said Darren. “Just my pride and my glider.”

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