91-year-old daredevil survives paragliding crash in Australia

The elderly pilot, left, swam to shore after crashing his paraglider near Warriewood Beach

Credit: 9News

A 91-year-old man managed to walk away with only minor injuries after surviving a paragliding crash in Australia.

The NSW Police Force said the paraglider escaped with only cuts and a wrist injury after crashing into the ocean on the east coast on Sunday evening.

"Emergency services were called to a cliff face near Warriewood Surf Club after the aircraft crashed shortly before 6pm," police said.

Rescuers helped the nonagenarian walk across rocks to safety before he was taken to Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment.

Witnesses called for help when they saw the man’s parachute descend into the ocean, according to reports.

"By the time emergency services arrived, the 91-year-old had managed to swim to the bottom of the cliff face where bystanders helped pull him up onto the rocks," 7News Sydney reported.

"Paramedics were considering using a helicopter to try and winch him to safety, but decided to put him in a harness and use abseiling equipment to walk him back up the cliff."

Fire & Rescue NSW crash inspector Michael Woodward said the man — who was wearing a helmet — was "very lucky" to have landed in the water instead of the rocks and that people were there to help him at the time.