Skydiver 'lucky to be alive' after parachute fails
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Buy SPH photosWELLINGTON (AFP) - A New Zealand skydiver was lucky to be alive after a jump from 4,000m went wrong, thanks to swampy ground cushioning the impact of his landing, reports said on Friday.
Mr Liam Dunne's feet left 10cm indentations in the ground when he landed heavily on a grass paddock near the South Island town of Motueka after the jump on Thursday, Fairfax Media reported.
It said the 35-year-old opened his main parachute at about 1,200 m but had to cut it free after finding he could not steer it, with the reserve chute only opening about 220m from the ground.
After treatment at the scene he was taken to hospital with spine and leg injuries, although ambulance officers described his condition as non-life threatening.
