Real Survival Stories Paragliding Disaster: Sucked Towards the Stratosphere
Jul 26, 2023
Experienced paraglider Ewa Wiśnierska shares her terrifying journey of getting sucked into a storm, reaching heights near a jumbo jet, battling hypoxia, and miraculously surviving. She reflects on the importance of safety over ambition in paragliding.
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Eva's Paragliding Journey
- Eva Wiśnierska began paragliding as a hobby and became one of the world's top professionals within four years.
- She was competing in the 2007 World Paragliding Championships in New South Wales, Australia, when disaster struck.
Storms Can Form Unexpectedly Fast
- Rapid storm formation can create unpredictable and lethal air currents in paragliding zones.
- Unexpected thermal uplifts caused Eva to be sucked into dangerous storm clouds beyond normal experience.
Unconscious at 7,000 meters
- Eva was lifted uncontrollably upward over 7,000 meters into freezing, oxygen-poor air while unconscious.
- Her body was limp, yet her glider remained intact despite extreme conditions and altitude.