Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Skydiver's farewell: 'I'm dead ... bye!' - Daily Post
Taupo skydiver Michael Holmes knows he should be dead - and his rescuers tend to agree.The skydiver, who plunged more than 3600m when his parachute failed to open properly late last year, told Britain's Mail on Sunday "I should be dead, absolutely".He told the newspaper he'd certainly given up hope and knew that even if he landed in the lake "the sensible part of me knew it wouldn't be all right - that I'd probably be knocked unconscious at best and drown".
St John area manager Graeme Harvey said last night's TV screening of the gut-wrenching plunge confirmed what a miracle it was that Mr Holmes survived.His injuries were a collapsed lung and fractured ankle.Mr Harvey, who was one of the first to reach the scene, said he was "still totally amazed" that Mr Holmes survived the huge fall."There was obviously something or someone looking over him."
...
[There's a] video record of the moment when he tugged the ripcord and discovered his parachute would not open. It shows frantic efforts to release the twisted parachute, as he spins so fast that movement is almost impossible and then his attempt to release his reserve parachute - and the horror as he realises that, too, has become entangled above him.
...
He missed the airport car park by less than 30m and instead landed in a blackberry patch which cushioned his fall just enough to save his life.
Taupo skydiver Michael Holmes knows he should be dead - and his rescuers tend to agree.The skydiver, who plunged more than 3600m when his parachute failed to open properly late last year, told Britain's Mail on Sunday "I should be dead, absolutely".He told the newspaper he'd certainly given up hope and knew that even if he landed in the lake "the sensible part of me knew it wouldn't be all right - that I'd probably be knocked unconscious at best and drown".
St John area manager Graeme Harvey said last night's TV screening of the gut-wrenching plunge confirmed what a miracle it was that Mr Holmes survived.His injuries were a collapsed lung and fractured ankle.Mr Harvey, who was one of the first to reach the scene, said he was "still totally amazed" that Mr Holmes survived the huge fall."There was obviously something or someone looking over him."
...
[There's a] video record of the moment when he tugged the ripcord and discovered his parachute would not open. It shows frantic efforts to release the twisted parachute, as he spins so fast that movement is almost impossible and then his attempt to release his reserve parachute - and the horror as he realises that, too, has become entangled above him.
...
He missed the airport car park by less than 30m and instead landed in a blackberry patch which cushioned his fall just enough to save his life.
Labels: karma
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