A PARAGLIDER crash-landed on Winter Hill prompting a full-scale rescue mission from Bolton Mountain Rescue and the North West Air Ambulance.

The man, a 37-year-old from Freckleton, Lancashire, came down in strong winds close to the summit at around 1.30pm on Sunday.

The paraglider, who is a member of the Pennine Soaring Club, was air lifted to Royal Preston Hospital, where he was treated for a broken collar bone.

Dale Pickard, chairman of the club, was first on the scene and called 999.

Mr Pickard said: “He was flying and unfortunately was hit by some very, rough winds which forced him on to the hillside.

“The mountain rescue were superb, they were there after just 15 minutes and took absolute charge of the situation.”

Three mountain rescue Land Rovers arrived at the summit at around 1.45pm.

The Air Ambulance helicopter arrived shortly afterwards and landed close by to the accident scene.

Bolton Mountain Rescue’s team doctor and air crew paramedics treated the man for suspected spinal, shoulder and leg injuries.

Despite a recent thaw, temperatures at the summit were close to freezing.

The man was splinted and given painkilling gas and oxygen before being stretchered to the waiting helicopter, which took off at 2.30pm.

Bolton Mountain Rescue team leader Garry Rhodes said: “Although the recent thaw had resulted in the disappearance of snow and ice, temperatures at the north-facing site were still hovering around freezing.

“The man was very cold and clearly in some shock.”

The man was kept in Royal Preston Hospital overnight on Sunday.