Skydiver survives 4,500ft plunge

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/7595831.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A skydiver has vowed to carry on jumping despite an incredible escape that saw him fall 4,500ft to earth while unconscious.

Jamie Robertson, 57, was knocked out after being blown onto the tail of the aircraft as he jumped.

The force of the impact triggered his reserve parachute and he floated helplessly to the ground.

Mr Robertson, an experienced skydiver from Caldicot in Monmouthshire, escaped with just cuts and bruises.

"I'm not sure whether I jumped slightly too high rather than out to the side but the wind caught me and whacked me into the tail," he said.

"That knocked me unconscious but luckily I hit it so hard that my reserve parachute opened, which is a very unusual thing to happen.

"I then floated down slumped in my harness, totally oblivious to the danger I was in, and woke up completely confused on the way to hospital."

It's just incredible that I survived at all but despite my miracle escape I'm definitely going to carry on jumping Jamie Robertson

Mr Robertson, who has made more than 400 parachute jumps over the past 23 years without any accidents, said the experience had not put him off skydiving.

"Looking back on it, I can't believe how lucky I am to have got down safely with no permanent damage. The doctors were amazed," he said.

"It's just incredible that I survived at all but despite my miracle escape I'm definitely going to carry on jumping."

Mr Robertson was one of 12 skydivers taking part in a jump organised by the Army Parachute Association in Wiltshire.

Fortunately, his three-minute descent took him into the landing zone where paramedics were waiting.

He was taken to Salisbury hospital in Wiltshire by helicopter where he was examined by doctors and released the following day.

He escaped with just bruising to his back, left arm and ribs.

"A reserve parachute should deploy automatically at 750ft but the last person who had a landing like mine died when he hit a building," said Mr Robertson, who is married with two children.

Speedy recovery

"In a way it was a good thing I was knocked out because if I was conscious I would have been terrified and in too much pain to steer properly."

Army Parachute Association secretary Robin Durie said: "We are obviously delighted that Jamie didn't sustain any serious injury from the incident and we wish him a speedy recovery.

"He's been a club member with us for a very long time and we all look forward to seeing him again and hope he's fit to jump next weekend.

"Although it's too early to say exactly why the collision happened, we are looking into it to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Mr Robertson, a roofer, is now recovering at home and is aiming to be back at work shortly.