Australian base jumper survives 60-meter fall with failed parachute

Monday 05th January, 02:54 PM JST

SYDNEY —

A base jumper survived a 60-meters plunge from an Australian bridge Sunday despite his parachute failing during the stunt, officials said. The man, aged in his late 20s, injured his feet and ankles after he jumped off the EJ Whitten Bridge in Melbourne, ambulance spokesman Ray Rowe said Monday.

Rowe could not confirm at what point the man’s parachute failed but national news agency AAP said it was believed to be when he was close to the ground.

“He’s a very lucky man, I’ll say that,” Rowe said. “It could have been just so much worse.”

Base jumping is a risky activity banned in many places in which enthusiasts leap from high buildings, antennas and other fixed structures and use a parachute to land.

Wire reports

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5 Comments

adaydream at 03:07 PM JST - 5th January

I've made jumps from perfectly good planes.

But from a bridge?

I'm glad he survived. < :-)
Sarge at 05:33 PM JST - 5th January

Anyone who jumps from a bridge, tall building or a perfectly good airplane, even with a parachute, has to be at least somewhat looney. :O
smithinjapan at 06:36 PM JST - 5th January

For the type of person it takes to do this kind of thing, it probably won't deter him from doing it again once he gets better. Good on you for surviving, mate.
borscht at 11:09 PM JST - 5th January

a 60-meters plunge

a 60-meter plunge

(unless I missed a memo on adjectives)
WilliB at 06:13 PM JST - 8th January

The beginning of a new sport? Base jumping without chute? Only for the real tough...