Paragliders in Cardona, Rizal make emergency landing in trees

Two paragliders in Cardona, Rizal, had to make an emergency landing in the trees due to changing wind conditions. 

According to Kuya Kim Atienza's report on "24 Oras" Thursday, Royieth Gonzales went paragliding in Cardona to celebrate her birthday  — a moment she captured on video and uploaded online. 

While up in the air, however, the wind got too strong, compelling Gonzales' paragliding pilot to make an emergency landing in the treetops. 

"Nung nasa taas na kami, medyo malakas po 'yung hangin. Nag-decide po 'yung pilot na mag-land muna kami saglit," she said.

"Bigla pong humina 'yung hangin. Nung umiikot ikot na po kami, hindi po makapag-land doon sa kung saan po kami nag-take off." 

Per Gonzales, she and her pilot were stuck in the trees for about five minutes before they were assisted by their companions. 

"Siguro na-stuck po kami mga five minutes. Nakataas 'yung paa ko. Dun ako medyo slight na kinakabahan. Pero nire-relax ko pa rin 'yung sarili ko kasi may mga kasama naman po kami na bumaba rin po agad," she said. 

She added that they waited for the wind conditions to improve so they could go paragliding again. They were finally successful on the third attempt. 

"Inabot po kami hanggang hapon kasi gusto ko po talagang ma-experience na magtagal po dun sa ere," she said.

"Maganda po 'yung third take off namin. Naayos na po 'yung wind. Hindi naman na po ako kinabahan kasi pag nandun na po sa ere, parang dinuduyan lang po talaga kayo eh. Panatag naman ako kasi 'yung pilot naman po almost 30 years na rin 'yung experience." 

Meanwhile, safety practitioner Jhune Tolentino, gave some helpful tips for those who plan on going paragliding. 

"Siguraduhin natin 'yung pagsunod sa mga safety protocols tulad ng mga pre-flight checks ng equipments, pag-gamit ng mga certified instructors at siguraduhin nating maganda ang panahon," he said. 

"Mahalaga rin ang briefing tungkol sa mga dapat at hindi dapat gawin bago tayo mag-flight and during our flight," he added.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News