AL AIN // Panic-stricken football fans fled for their lives last night when a stunt pilot lost control of his powered paraglider and careered into the crowd. Supporters cowered with hands covering their heads for protection as the craft became entangled in some balloons and smashed into the stand at the Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium in Al Ain. The paraglider was one of two performing for more than 10,000 fans before the start of the derby match between Al Ain and Al Wahda.
"It's lucky more people weren't injured. The stand was absolutely crammed," a club official said.
Paramedics and police carried injured fans and the pilot down to the pitch running-track, where they were given first aid before ambulances took them to hospital.
Some of the victims had splatters of blood on their clothes and the paraglider pilot appeared to be unconscious.
An emergency nurse at Al Ain Hospital said about eight people, all men, were taken to the department by ambulance at about 7.30pm.
Powered paragliders and parachutists wear motors on their back which weigh up to 36kg. They can reach maximum speeds of 70kph and should not be flown in windy weather conditions.
It was not clear whether the was still attached to the engine when it crashed.
Football fans posted photographs on Twitter of ambulances and medics on the pitch.
A member of staff at the hospital's emergency department said it was likely that two of the injured would be kept in overnight for observation. All injuries were minor, he said.
Al Ain won the match 1-0.