Paragliding survivor I'M LOOKING FOR A MIRACLE'

Hayley-Marie loved the feeling of flying like a bird, but after an accident left her paralysed, she’s more determined than ever she'll soar again

- Kasia De Vydt-Jillings

For Hayley-Marie Bushby nothing compares to the feeling of paragliding-running as fast as she can, leaping off a mountaintop and soaring through the air as if she's flying.

"Once you're up there, you can sit back, relax and look around, like, 'Holy heck, this view is amazing' and realise you're in the sky with just a piece of material and a string," enthuses the 29-year-old Cantabrian.

But in February 2024, just months after getting her licence to paraglide alone - or fly as it's often termed the unthinkable happened.

Hayley-Marie and her experienced paragliding partner Cory were at a jumpsite they knew well in Christchurch's Port Hills.

The wind was light and they assessed the conditions were safe as they completed preparation exercises on the ground. Then out of nowhere, a strong gust lifted them both about 20 metres into the air and slammed Hayley-Marie back into the ground at speed.

"It was just an absolute freak accident," she recalls. "I don't know what happened, but the wing collapsed and I got dropped onto the ground feet first. I broke my legs, pelvis, back, ribs and had severe internal bleeding.”

A former first responder, Cory managed to land safely, running immediately to help his girlfriend.

“I wasn’t really breathing or talking and it took a long time for me to take a gasp of air,” says Hayley-Marie. “He could see my leg was snapped in half and knew my back was broken because I couldn’t feel my legs.”