Search and rescue team member opens up about being rescued after paragliding accident near Agassiz

As a paramedic, ski patrol member and search and rescue member, John Willcox has dedicated his life to saving lives.

“It becomes a challenge to do the best you can for that person,” Willcox said.

Now he knows what it’s like to be rescued after he crashed while paragliding near Agassiz last month.

Willcox was gliding through the air when he found himself losing lift. As he tried to make it to a clearing, the wind forced him into some trees.

“All of a sudden I was in a freefall and just let out a scream. I fell, I’m not sure 50, maybe 70, feet onto the ground.

The paramedic in Willcox knew it was bad. He had a sprained ankle on one leg, two fractures in his other leg, three broken ribs and two damaged vertebrae.

With no cellphone reception Willcox grabbed his radio and started to orchestrate a rescue.

“I jumped on the radio and said, ‘Help, help, help! I’m a paraglider and I’ve crashed. I’m injured and I need help.'”

For three hours Willcox laid there going through the rescue procedure to distract from the pain.

Then a familiar face descended from the sky.

“I knew Tony, and I knew what he was going to do for me and everything else,” Willcox said of the rescuer who first came to his aid. “They did a fabulous job and I’m so thankful for everybody’s efforts.”

After a month in hospital Willcox is back home.

The community helped convert the lower level of his home into a healing space.

“Do you end up with karma in the bank for helping people after all these years?” he asked. “Maybe, and I’ll take it.”

– With files from John Hua