Anthony Yates
A British man was severely injured while skydiving near Las Vegas last month. He suffered multiple broken bones, but miraculously survived an 11,000-foot fall with faulty parachutes.
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What happened: According to a report by Devon Live, 24-year-old Mitchell Deakin was on his “dream holiday” in the US, skydiving over the Nevada Desert on September 17. He was reportedly performing a tandem jump with his instructor when the pair got into trouble.
- The outlet explains that the skydiver’s main parachute failed to deploy. The emergency chute also malfunctioned, and both men hit the ground at around 45 MPH. Devon Live reveals that the instructor, 54-year-old Jiron Arcos Ponce, also survived.
- Per the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the pair reportedly ended up in an uncontrollable spin. The skydiver and instructor were fastened together at the time. One witness, another instructor, allegedly told cops their parachute was “not working as well as it could have.”
- Authorities reportedly believe the emergency chute stopped the main parachute from fully opening. A spokesperson for the FAA told the outlet, “The FAA investigates the packing of the main and reserve parachutes, and the rules of flight for the pilot and aircraft.” The organization said law enforcement would conduct further investigations if it did not find evidence of regulatory violations.
A GoFundMe Reveals The Extent Of The Skydivers’ Injuries After The Fall
Lucky to be alive: A GoFundMe set up on behalf of Deakin’s family lists the 24-year-old’s injuries. His mother has also provided updates on his road to recovery.
- The fundraiser explains that Deakin suffered “extreme injuries,” including a fractured pelvis and broken ribs. He also reportedly suffered a perforated lung and kidney laceration. Emergency services in the US have installed metal plates in the 24-year-old’s pelvis to prevent it from collapsing.
- The GoFundMe post explains they are collecting donations to cover medical costs and accommodation in the US. It notes that Deakin cannot return to the UK until his condition improves. Any remaining donations will reportedly be donated to charity.
- In an update on September 25, the skydiver’s mom said that doctors found several internal fractures they had not noticed before. “He is really positive, being looked after by an excellent hospital team and is truly grateful for all your kindness, messages, chats, and calls,” the post concludes.
