While her family resides at the foot of the mountain where the accident occurred, Ms Becke explains that her father first saw the paraglider flying through the air, before seeing, a few minutes later, vehicles of police arrive at the scene.
Being herself familiar with the surroundings and the sports of climbing, she recounts having helped, in the company of her brother, the police officers to reach the victim, when the place where she was was difficult to access.
When we got there we were about 10 or 15 feet below him. […] He was there, there was another paraglider with him, who was taking care of him and who was holding the seat he was in so that he wouldn’t roll down the slope.
Rae Becke took part in the rescue of the paraglider following the accident on Thursday in Gatineau Park.
Photo: Radio-Canada
According to the witness, Mr. Bijjani was visibly in distress when she was able, in the company of a policeman, to get to him. She then used her sporting experience to be able to secure the paraglider while waiting for help to arrive, she says.
When we arrived I continued my ascent to get to the top and tied a strap around a large tree trunk, then tied it around the paraglider seat. So, [la victime] was more comfortable and more secure. […] Then I used the rest of the strap to allow the police officer to mount. That way he was able to administer first aid immediately.
A specialized team of rescuers, equipped with climbing equipment and belonging to the City of Ottawa Fire Department, then transported the victim to the top of the mountain, before he was finally airlifted.
The victim was finally evacuated by helicopter around 7 p.m. Thursday.
Photo: Radio-Canada
The helicopter left the scene of the incident around 7 p.m., while the emergency call was received around 2:15 p.m.
An essential aid
At the time of the extraction, Camille Bijjani suffered serious injuries, including one to the head, according to the spokesperson for the police of the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Martin Fournel, who talks about a major operation to be able to evacuate the victim.
The latter also points out that the help provided by Rae Becke and his brother, who helped guide the first responders when they arrived on the scene, proved decisive.
These people are local residents who know the area very well, who go to Gatineau Park. […] One of these two people even went back and forth to the bottom of the mountain to carry oxygen bottles, it’s quite exceptional and we want to emphasize it.
Martin Fournel is the police spokesperson for the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Photo: Radio-Canada
According to information sent by Mr. Fournel, the state of the victim had still not changed on Friday afternoon.
For its part, the National Capital Commission (NCC) recalled in an email sent Friday to Radio-Canada that hang gliding and paragliding are not permitted in Gatineau Park
also specifying that it did not intend to impose a fine on the victim.
With information from Nafi Alibert and Nelly Albérola
