Skydiver survives fall in New Zealand

AP

Friday 17 August 2012

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A skydiver has survived a harrowing plunge to the ground after his main parachute failed and a reserve chute only partially worked.

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

He was parachuting yesterday afternoon at the Motueka Airport on the South Island when his main chute failed and he was unable to open his reserve chute.

The reserve chute eventually deployed automatically about 230 metres from the ground.

A fellow skydiver said the man was experienced and had completed more than 1,000 jumps.

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