Paraglider Rescued Near Parma Park in Santa Barbara After Drone Guides Crews to Location

A 56-year-old woman was rescued Saturday afternoon after a hard landing while paragliding above Parma Park, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched around 4:00 p.m. March 8. A fellow paraglider landed to assist, but rugged terrain made the patient difficult to locate from the ground.

County Fire’s drone team was launched, quickly finding the woman and using a loudspeaker to reassure her and a witness — “Rescue teams are en route—stay where you are!” — before hovering as a visual beacon to guide ground crews in.

Successful Trail Rescue above Parma Park
On Saturday, March 8 around 4:00 pm, our team responded to a report of a paragliding incident in Parma Park, Santa Barbara. A 56-year-old female experienced a hard landing, sustaining moderate injuries.
A fellow paraglider landed to… pic.twitter.com/H0W48coZaP

— Santa Barbara County Fire Department (@SBCFireInfo) March 10, 2026

With support from Santa Barbara City Fire and other responding agencies, firefighters reached the patient, assessed her moderate injuries, and transported her by ground ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s emergency department.

County Fire officials said the operation underscores how drones and coordinated teamwork help speed rescues in challenging terrain.

They urged outdoor enthusiasts to check conditions, carry a charged phone with GPS capability, know their limits, and call 911 if they see an emergency.