A paraglider survived after a small plane tore through her canopy midair in Austria, sending her plunging toward the ground before she deployed an emergency parachute.
*Watch video of the incident below*
The incident happened Saturday, May 23, near Zell am See in Austria’s Salzburg region. Authorities said a flex-wing paraglider collided with a Cessna F182Q Skylane during the plane’s approach toward Zell am See Airport.
The pilot of the Cessna apparently did not see the paraglider in time to avoid the collision.
Video shared online by the paraglider pilot — identified publicly only as Sabrina — captured the frightening moment the aircraft ripped through her sail midair.
The footage shows the canopy suddenly collapsing as the plane passes nearby, sending Sabrina into a rapid descent above the mountainous Schmittenhöhe region. Realizing she was falling uncontrollably, Sabrina quickly deployed an emergency parachute from her harness.
The video then shows her descending toward the ground during a long, spinning fall punctuated by screams before finally hitting the dirt below.
Despite the violent crash, Sabrina later said she survived with just bruises and minor injuries.
“May 23 will always be like a second birthday for me,” she wrote on social media.
According to Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung, a police helicopter later transported Sabrina from the mountain area to a nearby airport.
The pilot of the Cessna was able to safely land the aircraft despite damage from the collision.
Photos from the aftermath reportedly showed pieces of paraglider fabric and gear still tangled around the plane’s left wing after landing.
Officials said nobody aboard the aircraft was injured. The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation.
