A TORQUAY paraglider suffered spinal injuries after slipping during take off and crashing into playing fields.

Police, ambulance and paramedics went to the King George V playing fields off Teignmouth Road just before 8pm on Tuesday.

Torquay fire station Watch Commander Dave Crawford said firefighters helped paramedics move the injured man into the ambulance.

He said: "He was taking off, and you have to run a bit before the engine kicks in — which it did.

"I think he must have slipped and tipped forward and the propellers broke with the flyer sustaining suspected back injuries with the jolt."

Mr Crawford explained paramedics spent time giving the injured man pain relief and ensuring they got him away from the seat of the motorised paraglider and on to a spinal board.

Paramedics also fitted the man with a neck brace before he was transferred by ambulance to Torbay Hospital for further medical treatment.

"He was in quite a bit of pain," said Mr Crawford. "When we arrived he was still in his seat, although the canopy had been removed by his pals."

An ambulance spokesman said the casualty's injuries were not considered serious.

"He was conscious at the scene," he said.

A police spokesman confirmed officers attended the scene of the accident. He said there would be no investigation as there was no requirement for a licence to fly what is classed as a self-propelled hang glider.

On Saturday, a man in his forties from Yealmpton died after plunging 150 feet to the ground at Plymstock in a paragliding accident. The tragedy is being investigated.