A paraglider crashed in a timbered ravine near the top of Mount Sentinel’s south peak Monday afternoon, prompting a rescue involving city firefighters, Lolo National Forest officers and a Lifeflight helicopter.

The paraglider, who was not identified, suffered possible back injuries, but was stable when airlifted to St. Patrick Hospital.

Battalion Chief Dave Wolter of the Missoula Fire Department provided this account of what happened:

A witness called 911 at about 2 p.m., reporting a crash high on the mountain.

An off-duty Missoula city firefighters was in the area and was able to guide a crew of firefighters to the paraglider, who they stabilized, treated and moved 500 yards to a landing spot on the ridgetop.

Lifeflight Network was requested by the fire department because of the remote location and the distance up the mountain. The off-duty firefighter was able to guide the responding helicopter to a safe landing area.

Missoula Emergency Services also responded to the incident, as the law enforcement officers from the Lolo National Forest, according to Wolter. The Missoula Fire Department dispatched three crews.

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