accident at ecc...

[Danny Brotto]

Accident being reported in local news at ecc with serious injury. info is sketchy

Danny Brotto

[Richard Hays]

I heard it to on WBAL radio. Pilot in shock trauma. I thought I heard they said a "hangglider crashed in OC Md. pilot participating in a championship in Ridgely, Md." Thats how I thought I heard it.....but not 100% sure. Kinda shocked over what I was hearing on WBAL.

Richard Hays

[Danny Brotto]

the news is all over the place on this. the task area
was to the north of ridgely. accident didn't seem to happen at the airport itself.

Danny Brotto

[eggzkitz]

News is reporting three pilots were downed by a "downforce"...

[CraginS]

http://www.wboc.com/story/18720431/hang ... ine-county
Posted: Jun 06, 2012 3:57 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 06, 2012 6:44 PM EDT
RIDGELY, Md.- One of 22 hang gliders participating in an annual competition in Ridgely sustained serious injuries following a hard landing Wednesday afternoon.

Steve Hurlock, chief of emergency communications for Caroline County, said three hang gliders went down during the East Coast Hang Gliding Championship hosted by Highland Aerosports at the Ridgely Airpark. Some kind of downforce winds may have been to blame for the hard landings, according to Hurlock.

Hurlock said that two of the hang gliders who went down suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene. However, the third, Paul M. Vernon, 51 yrs, of Wilmington, Delaware was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with serious injuries.

Maryland State Police say Mr. Vernon's condition is listed as serious but stable at this time. Investigator's noted that there was no damage to the hang glider during a post collision inspection. The exact cause is unknown at this time, though investigators suspect that operator error was a contributing factor.

Other hang gliders involved in the competition safely landed at the Massey Aerodome in Kent County, Hurlock said.

[CraginS]

"serious but stable"
hope things go well for him.

Good thoughts for all involved.

[Lostgriz]

I am happy to report that I have heard from Paul's wife via text that his MRI came back good. Last I heard, they were waking him up and he was doing well.

To be clear, no other pilots had incidents. The other gliders that were reported as down were pilots that landed to assist. Paul had a hard landing in a wheat field that was around 4' tall. His glider sustained no damage in the landing, but he was unconscious when they got to him.

Very glad to hear he is doing well. He and his wife are great people and I have really enjoyed getting to know them and look forward to more great days at Highland with them both.

Matt

[RichH]

Glad to hear the report Matt..Please let Paul know..Best wishes and hope he gets back flying soon!! Rich

[lbunner]

Geeeezzzusss, one pilot tried to land in 5' wheat field and whacked in hard, knocked himself out. We are hopeful that he is OK but haven't heard much more info. No other pilots had any incidents. Just remember to treat the tops of the crops as if it is the ground! It was an epic day on the peninsula (this event did put a damper on things) with reported climbs upward of 1300fpm. All open class made the 52 mile triangle except Davis who is flying a falcon. Just incredible lift during the latter half of the flight. Kinda reminded me of Texas (except for all the water around).

[brianvh]

The one thing that made me feel good reading this was "two pilots landed to assist". Miles from the release point, they still saw a possible incident and took action. What if nobody was around? Or if they didn't see signs of a problem? Fantastic community I'll always be proud to be a part of.

[Matthew]

Best wishes to Paul for a speedy recovery.

Though Sandy may need to buy him a piano.

See-- http://todayhealth.today.msnbc.msn.com/ ... d=vt_fbmsn


Matthew

[CraginS]

Hang glider pilot released from shock trauma center

BALTIMORE A Delaware man injured in a hang gliding accident June 13 has been released from a trauma center.
Paul M. Vernon, 51, of Wilmington, had been released Saturday from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, a hospital spokesman said Monday. Vernon had spent more than a week in critical condition there.
Vernon was flown to the Baltimore trauma center after his hang glider crashed in a field near Ridgely. He was one of 25 people competing in the annual East Coast Hang Gliding Championship, which ran June 3 to 9 and is organized by Highland Aerosports, based at the Ridgely Airpark.

http://www.stardem.com/a/article_ad2040 ... bfc9a.html

[Lostgriz]

If you go to carepages here http://www.carepages.com// and search for PMVernon, you will find a web page where Paul's wife Sam is posting daily updates on his progress. He has made great strides in surviving this injury and is making great progress in his recovery, but he has a tough road ahead. He has two brain stem bleeds that he has been battling to overcome. Create an account and log in so that you can post on their page and show some support. I know it would mean a lot for the family to hear some support from the HG community.

Matt

[markc]

I didn't know until last weekend that the Paul who had been injured was the Paul of "Ridgely Regulars" Paul-and-Sandra. You might know Sandra from the fact that she's been the chef for many post-flying feasts at Highland, and you might know their two dogs (one, a terrier, with lots of personality; and their big-and-friendly black & brown dog, wish I knew the breed/mix). Last I heard, the Highland gang was helping out by taking care of the doggies.

Adam sent Paul and Sandra's home address to me a few days ago.... And though I don't feel comfortable posting that info, I'm more than happy to share it with anyone who wants to send a card or other encouragement. Just drop me a PM and I'll get pass along their address ASAP.

I don't know that Sandra is even able to get home and pick up mail.... But if she is, then cards and such might be another way to send some encouraging words, in addition to the on-line option at carepages.com .

MarkC

[John Simon]

I drove up to Bryn Marr today to visit with Paul. He is much better than last week when I saw him. He was awake and alert and conversant. He still tires easily, but we chatted for about 10 minutes and then he decided a nap was most important and he dozed off after making apologies.

He seems to be improving daily and I have high hopes. Still a long road ahead but his recovery appears to be moving forward after a rather tough week or 2. He looked good and had good color and eye contact while we chatted. Familiar expressions and smiles were observed happily. I am excited to visit again next week, the rehab facility is obviously doing him some good. He says they work him very hard.

Regards,
John

[Matthew]

That's wonderful news. Thanks John for visiting him and providing the update.

Matthew

[Lostgriz]

That is great to hear! Thanks for the update John.

Matt