Hang glider rescued with Black Hawk helicopter

By Associated Press

MORRILTON — A hang glider who had gotten stuck in a tree after taking off from Petit Jean Mountain was rescued by a Black Hawk helicopter team from the Arkansas National Guard, and safely returned to earth.

John Jenkins, 51, of Dardanelle took off about 5 p.m. Monday from private property near Petit Jean State Park, but a gust of wind caught his glider and blew him into some trees, Conway County Chief Deputy Sheriff Sonny Stover said.

Jenkins was suspended about 40 feet off the ground and couldn't release his harness to get out and climb down the tree, Stover said. Park rangers tried to rescue him but could not get to where he was stuck on the side of the mountain.

They called the National Guard, which flew in about 8 p.m. and lowered a team member from the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, who was able to reach Jenkins and lift him back into the helicopter.

Stover said Jenkins was not injured and did not have to go to a hospital. The rescue took about five hours. Petit Jean State Park does not allow hang gliding, but a hang gliding club had permission from the private land owner to use the property.