A GRANDAD has told how his paraglider’s wing collapsed 9,000ft above the French Alps.

Retired counter-terrorism cop Steve Barnett, 57, flew into a storm cloud, saturating his glider.

The wing caved under the weight of water as he tried an emergency landing — sending him falling 30ft through trees.

Steve broke his pelvis when he hit the ground at 40mph.

He called fellow paraglider Matt Roach, 47, for help.

The pal, in the air at the time, tracked him down and alerted a rescue helicopter.

Steve was airlifted from Passy, in south eastern France, to a hospital near the Italian border.

He was allowed to head home to Seaford, East Sussex, just two days later.

Steve recalled: “There was a big cloud and I started hearing a pitter patter on the wing.

“It came down heavier.

“Then all I could hear was this snapping, crackling and rippling.

“I bounced on the ground and rolled.

“It was like someone had kicked me really hard.”

Unfazed, he added: “I can’t wait to get back into the sky.”

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