In brief
Peng Yujiang, a 55-year-old paraglider, found himself in a life-threatening situation when an unforeseen updraft lifted him to 8,500m in the clouds while testing gear. State media reports on his miraculous survival and ongoing investigations into the incident.
A Chinese paraglider has narrowly escaped death after being unexpectedly thrust to an altitude of 8,500m (27,800ft) during a flight over the Qilian mountains in north-west China. In a remarkable incident captured by a camera mounted on the glider, Peng Yujiang, 55, was simply testing new equipment at 3,000m when a potent air current known as "cloud suck" propelled him an additional 5,000m higher into a cloud formation.The footage, which recently went viral on Douyin, China’s TikTok equivalent, showcased Mr. Peng grappling with the glider's controls while his body became encrusted with ice crystals. "It was terrifying... Everything was white. I couldn't see any direction. Without the compass, I wouldn't have known which way I was going. I thought I was flying straight, but in reality, I was spinning," he recounted to China Media Group.At such extreme altitudes where oxygen levels are dangerously low—above the peak of Mount Everest—Mr. Peng faced frigid temperatures dropping to -40C. Despite his desperate attempts to descend, he found himself continually lifted higher into the clouds. He later admitted that he might have lost consciousness during the descent and described the terrifying experience of trying to regain control of his spiraling glider.As a result of the incident, Chinese authorities have launched an investigation, with reports stating that Mr. Peng has been suspended for six months due to the unauthorized nature of the flight. Initially, he had not planned to take to the skies; instead, he was testing the fit and comfort of his parachute on solid ground when the unexpected gusts whisked him away.
