Veteran Hang-Glider Rescued Unhurt After Getting Snagged in Rio Botanical Garden Tree

Overview

• The hang glider became tangled about 30 meters up in a jequitibá-branco inside Rio’s Jardim Botânico after a Monday flight from Pedra Bonita.
• Firefighters set anchors, a ladder and rappel lines to reach the pilot and lower him to the ground without injuries.
• Authorities identified the pilot as Eduardo Campos Palermo, 71, a hang-gliding veteran with 43 years of experience.
• The Fire Department said he possibly lost control after a gust of wind during a planned loop toward Christ the Redeemer and back to São Conrado.
• The operation included support from the city’s cleaning company, and the treetop site inside a protected park added complications for access and safety planning.