A SPANISH paraglider missing for four days in a remote north Indian mountain range has been found alive.
José Luis Bernal García, from Asturias, had travelled with five friends to the State of Himachal Pradesh and was last seen jumping from a mountain in the village of Bir Billing on Friday.
Sub-commissioner for the district of Kangra, Sandeep Kumar, confirms rescuers found José Luis alive, against all odds.
They hope to get him back to terra firma some time today, but at worst, will collect him by helicopter tomorrow (Tuesday).
The Spaniard is said to be a great mountaineering and paragliding enthusiast and had 'sufficient means to survive' on him when he disappeared, but his friends were worrying that time may be running out for him.
In most of India, rescue operations do not start until a person has been missing for 24 hours, meaning a day was already lost, but by Sunday, a private helicopter had been drafted in as back-up.
An international paragliding championship is due to take place this coming Saturday in Bir Billing, expected to attract around 200 competitors from all over the world, and José Luis and his friends had gone there ahead of the event to train.
His state of health is not known, so it is not clear whether he will be well enough in time to take part in the event.
The photograph shows a paragliding championship event in Engelberg, Switzerland, in similar conditions to those of Bir Billing – high peaks and deep snow.
