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Man survives US skydiving plunge | Man survives US skydiving plunge |
(10 minutes later) | |
A County Tyrone man has told how his son survived after his parachute malfunctioned while skydiving over the Californian desert. | A County Tyrone man has told how his son survived after his parachute malfunctioned while skydiving over the Californian desert. |
Paul McMahon, 29, from Baronscourt, hit the ground from more than 100 feet after his chute became twisted. | Paul McMahon, 29, from Baronscourt, hit the ground from more than 100 feet after his chute became twisted. |
He sustained multiple injuries, including numerous broken bones, in the fall last weekend. | He sustained multiple injuries, including numerous broken bones, in the fall last weekend. |
His father Victor has said he is lucky to be alive after the 14,000 ft jump went wrong. | His father Victor has said he is lucky to be alive after the 14,000 ft jump went wrong. |
Mr McMahon is expected to make a full recovery, having been moved out of intensive care just days after the accident. | Mr McMahon is expected to make a full recovery, having been moved out of intensive care just days after the accident. |
He has completed over 100 skydives and was on his fourth of the day when disaster struck. | He has completed over 100 skydives and was on his fourth of the day when disaster struck. |
"They thought he was dead when they went to look at him or the body," said Victor McMahon. | "They thought he was dead when they went to look at him or the body," said Victor McMahon. |
"He has two broken legs, broken femurs and in some breaks the bones were out through. | "He has two broken legs, broken femurs and in some breaks the bones were out through. |
'Crushed' | |
"He also has a crushed pelvis and there was a lot of blood lost - he lost pints of blood there and then on the spot." | "He also has a crushed pelvis and there was a lot of blood lost - he lost pints of blood there and then on the spot." |
In the aftermath of the fall, Paul was unconscious for three days, attached to a life support machine. | In the aftermath of the fall, Paul was unconscious for three days, attached to a life support machine. |
His 63-year-old father will fly to California at the weekend to be with him, while his mother Betty waits by the phone. | His 63-year-old father will fly to California at the weekend to be with him, while his mother Betty waits by the phone. |
It is thought Paul may have to spend up to five months in hospital. | It is thought Paul may have to spend up to five months in hospital. |
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