Witnesses: Man fell from hang glider; authorities looking

LAKE SUZY — Authorities responded Thursday night to an initial call of an aircraft emergency in rural North Port or in DeSoto County.

First responders were informed that a man using a type of hang glider may have fallen from it.

Authorities are on the scene looking in the Pembroke Circle area in Lake Suzy.

North Port officials, including the Fire Rescue teams and ambulance crews, were also scouring the Yorkshire area, near Blueleaf Drive.

It was reported about 7 p.m. Thursday.

According to North Port Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Scott Lane, witnesses said they saw a craft doing tricks.

Zach Howell, Langdon Bell and Matthew Speidel were all about one block from where officials were circling, monitoring the situation via the online app, PulsePoint.

They said, as frequent visitors to the area, they see a man hang gliding there often.

Lane said they are confident that if there was a crash, it was in DeSoto County.

There is also a chance that the craft may have safely landed on a nearby runway, according to Lane.

North Port Police Public Information Officer Josh Taylor said DeSoto County initially received the call.

North Port, along with its on ground personnel, putting up a drone. Sarasota County Sheriff's Office's helicopter unit was also in the air for a time.

Authorities surveyed the area until the sun went down, at which point, Lane said a craft site would be difficult to spot at night.

This story will be updated.