On a wingsuit and a prayer: The leap from 2,400ft with no parachute

Published on 24/05/2012 12:50

A STUNTMAN has become the first person to jump out of a helicopter and land without using a parachute.

Gary Connery, 42, used a “wingsuit” to make the death-defying leap from 2,400ft above Oxfordshire yesterday.

The adrenaline junkie, who has performed stunts in Hollywood films including Batman Begins and The Beach, helped develop the suit, which enables him to glide through the air.

After jumping out of the helicopter, Mr Connery accelerated to 80mph as his wingsuit came into play.

The short flight ended with him landing on a “runway” made up of 18,000 cardboard boxes.

Mr Connery, who had to wear a parachute for the jump due to safety rules, was celebrating with champagne minutes after being back on the ground.

He said: “I feel incredible, just completely elated. I have been training and planning for this record attempt for many years now and I am so proud to have achieved a world first.”

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