Skydiver 'lucky to be alive' after parachute fails
NEW ZEALAND: A New Zealand skydiver was lucky to be alive after a
jump from 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) went wrong, thanks to swampy ground
cushioning the impact of his landing, reports said Friday.
Liam Dunne's feet left 10 centimetre (four inch) indentations in the
ground when he landed heavily on a grass paddock near the South Island
town of Motueka after the jump on Thursday.
It said the 35-year-old opened his main parachute at about 1,200
metres but had to cut it free after finding he could not steer it, with
the reserve chute only opening about 220 metres (720 feet) from the
ground.
After treatment at the scene he was taken to hospital with spine and
leg injuries, although ambulance officers described his condition as
non-life threatening. Dunne was taking part in a skydive festival when
the accident occurred.
Skydive operator Stuart Bean, who was also at the festival, said the
boggy ground, soaked by recent heavy rains in the South Island, was
crucial to Dunne's survival. AFP |