New Zealand skydiver survives horror plunge

Thursday 16 August 2012 13:05 BST

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

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

According to a police statement, the man was parachuting 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 when the man was about 750 feet from the ground, but did not function properly, although it did help slow his fall.

Nelson Hospital said the skydiver remained there in a stable condition.

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