SYDNEY, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Jaw-dropping footage of a paraglider in Australia being swept from a hillside by a mini tornado has left social media viewers aghast when it was posted online on Thursday evening.

The frightening incident filmed 450 km northwest of Sydney shows a man flung into the air and wildly spun around in circles while his wife is heard screaming in fear.

Known as a "dust devil," mini tornadoes can form quickly in hot, dry conditions and pose a huge danger to gliders in adventure sports.

"It's like when you hear the word, shark at the beach," Manilla Paragliding chief flying instructor Godfrey Wenness, who was at the scene, told local media.

"There were about 40 pilots half set up for takeoff, they all yelled out 'dust devil' and jumped on their wings," Wenness said.

"Everyone jumped on but his wasn't held down enough and it ripped him off," Wenness added.

In the end, the thrill-seeker was able to stabilize the glider and after five hours eventually landed safely 180 km away in the township of Moree.

In less than one day, the video has already been viewed millions of times on several social media platforms.