SHIMLA: US national Max Kent McGowan, 64, who went missing while paragliding in the hills of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, was rescued in a helicopter search operation on Tuesday, it was reported.

The mountain has a height of 4,200 feet. Max Kent McGowan had gone missing Sunday evening from Uttarala village. He could have fallen on fresh snow and survived, police said. On Monday, McGowan could establish contact with his hotel via his radio set. Bad weather delayed the rescue operation.

Similarly, a Spanish flyer, Jose Lewis, 40, had gone missing from Bir Billing in Kangra valley in October last. Bir Billing offers facilities for paragliding for independent flyers as well as various clubs. Independent flyers need to take registration. About 200 flyers had come to the place for an international paragliding event. Bir Billing is one of the highest spots for paragliding in the world.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Himachal Pradesh had fresh snow and rain at many places, the meteorological department said. Manali and Kufri had sub-zero temperatures. Manali in Kullu district, Kufri in Shimla district and Dalhousie in Chamba district received 9 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm of snow, respectively. Keylong of Lahaul and Spiti and Kalpa in Kinnaur witnessed 15 cm and 24 cm snow.