GILGIT – The Pakistan Army aviation successfully rescued an injured American paraglider from Rush Lake, a high-altitude spot in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Nagar district. The lake, located at 4,694 metres, is one of the world’s highest alpine lakes.
According to reports, 40-year-old American citizen Jessica Courtney Green and 35-year-old Australian national Shane Owen Tyge began their paragliding journey from Karimabad, Hunza, on Saturday. Their destination was near Rush Lake, about 50 kilometres from the take-off point.
The flight took a tragic turn when Jessica was forced to make an emergency landing near the lake. She sustained multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a leg injury, and an ankle fracture. Local police said she was found unconscious after the landing.
Shane quickly used a satellite phone to contact a friend, who alerted local volunteers. Rescue workers from Hopper Valley reached the site on Sunday and managed to shift the injured paraglider to a relatively safer spot. They provided food and basic medical aid while staying with her overnight.
On Monday morning, a Pakistan Army Aviation helicopter reached the remote location. The team evacuated Jessica and flew her first to Gilgit, then to Skardu, and later shifted her to Islamabad through a chartered flight for advanced treatment.
Rush Lake, situated about 15 kilometres north of Miar Peak and Spantik, is known for its challenging access routes. Trekkers usually reach it by crossing Hopper and Miar glaciers.
The Pakistan Army has often been called for rescue missions in Gilgit-Baltistan due to the tough terrain and unpredictable conditions.
This latest operation highlights the Pakistan Army’s critical role in providing emergency aid and saving lives in remote mountainous regions.
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