Emergency services in Christchurch have launched a dramatic rescue after a paraglider became trapped in one of the city's main transmission power lines.
Police, ambulance and fire services have scrambled out to the east Christchurch suburb of Redcliffs near Barnett Park after the paraglider landed in the lines about 3.15 pm.
Policesaid the man, who is conscious, is dangling in the air about 35m above the ground. He launched from surrounding hills in Heathcote Valley.
The line he is hanging was tripped off by him, but 66,000 volt powerlines nearby are still live.
The transmission lines supply power to one third of the city's electricity users.
Emergency and power services are attempting to rescue the man by helicopter.
