Paraglider crashes on the Pass

A Springfield-area man was seriously injured Sunday morning when the paraglider he was operating lost power after taking off and crashed to the ground in the Santiam Pass area.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Senior Trooper Toni Raugust, the accident occurred on July 21st, at approximately 10:15 a.m., James M. Carter, 55, of Springfield, had just lifted off from the ground in his paraglider near the ODOT Santiam Pass compound. As he was about tree level (approximately 100 foot altitude) the paraglider lost power and crashed to the ground.

Raugust, medics from the Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire District and Sisters - Camp Sherman Fire District responded to the scene. Carter was transported by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for treatment of reported serious injuries.