Fearless pilot saves soldier at 3,000 feet

BAD LIPPSPRINGE, Germany, July 20 (UPI) -- A British pilot is being praised for leaving the cockpit to help a parachutist who got hung up in the plane's undercarriage during a jump, officials said.

The pilot walked away form the controls for 30 seconds, at an altitude of 3,000 feet, and unstuck the parachutist, who then was able to jump safely, The Telegraph reported Saturday.

"The pilot showed significant bravery and skill. We are unaware of a rescue like this happening before," a Ministry of Defense spokesman said.

The rescue occurred as the light aircraft was traveling over the Joint Service Parachute Center in Bad Lippspringe, Germany, the newspaper said.

The Telegraph said six British soldiers were participating in a parachuting contest when the instructor became stuck in the undercarriage of the twin propeller engine Islander.