A 43-year-old man suffered serious injuries on the Big Island today after falling about 100 feet from a paraglider.

Kaumana station fire Capt. Warren Sumida said the apparent accident occurred on Mana Road, off Mauna Kea Access Road, on the island's east side, at 11:10 a.m. The man was found lying on the ground with numerous injuries. He was taken by helicopter to Hilo Medical Center.

Firefighters said they suspect the man's paraglider got caught in a downdraft.