Self-taught eBay paraglider breaks back

A FIRST-time paraglider told how he broke his back in two places after taking to the skies in a machine he bought for £300 on eBay.

Roy Dixon did not take any lessons apart from looking at internet clips on YouTube, and made the mistake of tethering his paraglider to his car.

He fell 40ft and landed heavily on his backside as his wife Catherine and nephew Michael looked on in horror.

An ambulance was called to the scene near Hexham, Northumberland, on Sunday night, and he was flown by RAF helicopter to Newcastle General Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, the 45-year-old said he was embarrassed and had been "quite foolish".

His maiden flight lasted less than a minute after he took to the air. He then came crashing down when the rope attached to his car abruptly ended his adventure.

"I was new to it and quite foolish," he said.

"I should have joined a club and got lessons but I was trying to teach myself and learn from bits I had seen on YouTube."