‘Could have died today’: Paraglider crashes into trees north of Boone

ZIONVILLE, N.C. — Rescuers were called to the woods in an area near Zionville after a paraglider crashed into the trees.

It happened just before noon Monday in a remote area northwest of Boone, North Carolina.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene and our crew saw the parachute still stuck in the tree as of 12 p.m. It’s not clear what led to the paraglider crash yet.

SEE MORE >> Parachutist gets stuck 100 feet up on high-rise building in Uptown Charlotte

Channel 9’s Dave Faherty learned that the victim was using a whistle to guide first responders to the scene. Rescuers from three different fire departments scrambled to get to the injured pilot.

Update: rescuers have the paraglider out of the tree and are hiking out now. They say injuries are minor Folks...
Posted by Dave Faherty on Monday, July 28, 2025

“When he did, he had a whistle that was with him, and he was about 50 feet off the powerline right of way. So he was using his whistle so the guys could find him,” said Watauga Fire Marshal Shane Garland.

First responders were able to rescue the parachutist after about two hours, and Faherty learned he was able to hike back down with minor injuries.

“He was an angel,” the pilot, James Dodzweit, told Faherty. “And when they got me out of the tree. He told me alright everybody stop. Let’s pray. And we prayed and gave god thanks because I could have died today.”

We asked James if he planned to go paragliding again, and he said yes, but he’s going to have to buy new equipment first.

(VIDEO: Video shows moments leading up to multi-vehicle crash involving CMPD cruiser)