Six injured in motorized parachute crash

  |   Sept. 8, 2009 at 10:26 AM
HOOPER, Utah, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- A motorized parachute dropping candy at a festival crashed into the crowd injuring at least six, including three children, police in Hooper, Utah, said.

The pilot of the parachute, and his son, who were aboard the aircraft, were not injured in Monday's crash, CNN reported.

The parachute, also known as a paraplane, had descended over the field and was dropping candy to dozens of people when the wind picked up, said witness Damon Martin, who videotaped the crash.

The pilot "gunned" the motorized parachute to counter the gusts, but the aircraft plunged to the ground, Martin said.

Six people were treated at local hospitals, including a 3-year-old and two sisters, ages 4 and 5, CNN reported Tuesday. All of the injured were expected to recover, said Lt. Lonnie Eskelson of the Weber County, Utah, Sheriff's Department.

Paraplanes essentially are parachutes attached to a motor and wheels and typically skim a few feet above the ground but can go as high as 1,500 feet, traveling between 25 and 30 mph, according to Wikipedia. Their takeoff and landing rolls are typically less than 100 feet.
