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George Richmond airlifted to UK after spinal surgery in India

British cinematographer George Richmond has been airlifted back to the UK for rehabilitation after surviving a near-fatal paragliding accident in Himachal Pradesh.

By Elena Marsh · 28 June 2026, 12:07 · 3 min read

George Richmond airlifted to UK after spinal surgery in India

British cinematographer George Richmond has been discharged from a hospital in Chandigarh and airlifted to the United Kingdom to continue a long recuperation at home. Richmond, 54, survived a near-fatal paragliding accident in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh earlier this month that left him with catastrophic spinal injuries.

The discharge followed a request from Richmond's wife, who traveled to India and remained by his side throughout his 18-day treatment. According to sources, she preferred for him to undergo prolonged rehabilitation in familiar surroundings in the UK. A doctor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that because Richmond was never placed on a ventilator after his surgery, the air transfer posed no clinical hurdles.

The accident occurred on June 8 during a long-distance cross-country flying expedition. Richmond was part of a five-member group that had trekked from Naggar in Kullu to the Deo Tibba base camp, having started the expedition from Bir Billing in the Kangra district. After his paraglider crashed into a mountainside in the rugged terrain near Deo Tibba, accompanying paragliders raised the alarm.

A coordinated rescue operation involving the Indian Air Force and local Himachal authorities evacuated Richmond from the crash site to a safer location. He was then airlifted by an IAF helicopter to Kullu for initial medical care before being moved in the early hours of June 9 to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.

Medical evaluations by a trauma team of orthopaedic and general surgeons revealed a fracture of the C1 vertebra and a fracture-dislocation at the C5-C6 level, resulting in quadriplegia. PGIMER described these as some of the most severe forms of spinal trauma, noting a significant risk of life-threatening respiratory compromise due to the proximity of spinal segments that control diaphragmatic function.

After three days of stabilisation, a multidisciplinary team performed surgery on June 12. Dr. Vishal Kumar, an Additional Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, led the procedure. The operation included a fluoroscopy-guided closed reduction of the fracture-dislocation—a technically demanding move that restored spinal alignment and removed the need for a combined front-and-back surgical approach, thereby reducing operative risk.

The surgical process further involved the removal of fractured elements and the damaged intervertebral disc that were causing neural compression. Surgeons then performed reconstruction using an interbody cage with bone graft substitute material and stabilised the spine with screws and a cervical plate.

In a health bulletin issued on June 13, PGIMER reported that Richmond was conscious, responding to commands, and communicating with his wife. However, he had no movement in either leg and very limited movement in both arms. Dr. Vijay Goni, Prof and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, told PTI that Richmond's vitals were stable and he was recovering while under observation.

The anonymous doctor who commented on his discharge noted that while signs were encouraging, Richmond will take time to recover completely given the nature of the surgery and the gravity of the injury.

Richmond is a member of the British Society of Cinematographers and the son of veteran cinematographer Anthony B Richmond. He is recognized for his work on major Hollywood productions, including: