Lucky escape for base jumper after parachute fails to open
A 'base jumper' escaped serious injury after his parachute failed to fully deploy as he took part in a fall at a telecommunications mast near Lichfield.
The man suffered a pelvic injury and was treated by an ambulance crew after he dropped more than 300 feet near a transmitting station off the A5 Watling Street at Hints just after 8.30am yesterday.
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Steve Parry said: "Crews arrived to find a man had been injured after his parachute failed to fully deploy following reports of a base jump attempt from a telecommunications mast.
"The man in his 30s was fortunate to escaped serious injury after he reportedly fell over 300 feet. He was treated for a pelvic injury at the scene.
"Medics stabilised his condition with the use of pain relief and he was immobilised with the use of a neck collar, pelvic splint and spinal board before being taken by land ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham."
