Skydiver who ‘bounced’ on impact lives after chutes fail

Published on 17/08/2012 00:00

A skydiver in New Zealand has survived a 750ft plunge to the ground after his main parachute failed and a reserve chute only partially opened.

Police said the 35-year-old man suffered serious injuries after he hit the ground at high speed with enough force to make him bounce.

The man was said to be parachuting yesterday afternoon at the Motueka Airport on South Island.

Police said the reserve chute eventually deployed automatically about 750ft from the ground but did not fully open. Nelson Hospital said the skydiver was stable yesterday.