BASE Jumpers chute fails to open

[RadiclDreamer]

Just a quick bit of background, the Bridge spanning the New River in West Virginia was the longest arch bridge in the world until about 2 years ago, now there is a slightly larger one in Japan. Anyway, every year for 1 day they shut down 2 lanes of the bridge and allow pedestrians to walk across since the view is spectacular. Well its also been tradition to allow BASE jumping at the event. This year a jumpers chute failed to open causing him to fall 867 feet to his death due to impact with the water below.

I grew up in this area and have seen it many times

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/21/bridge.death.ap/index.html

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Failed to open in time. But yeah. Ouch. That's a risk you take in that sport.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
Failed to open in time. But yeah. Ouch. That's a risk you take in that sport.

Chute only opened 25 feet above the water.

Everyone up on the bridge thought he was OK, they couldn't tell he was so close to the water.

They did not stop any jumps.

I'm sure he would want it that way.

 

[Captante]

Serious bummer, but comes with the territory! RIP

 

[Howard]

I only hope he died happy. RIP

 

[theeedude]

He should have had a bunjee cord for backup.

 

[John]

At least he was able to enjoy 66 years of his life. RIP

 

[Syringer]

The optimist in me says this is a better way to go than by a cancer, heart attack, etc..quick, relatively painless, and basically doing something that makes life worth living..

 

[compuwiz1]

What did it sound like, when he landed?
RIP cord no workie

 

[Mucho]

The guy was 66 years old. :Q

 

[compuwiz1]

Too bad.

Sorry, but he's still dead

 

[Motorheader]

Check this out:

Base Compilation Video

Also there's a link to the known fatalities list.

To me it seems there's an inordinate number of Nordic fatalities.

 

[daveymark]

there were 804 jumps made that day, so the chances of living are pretty good

 

[DanTMWTMP]

well, @ 66, he went out w/ what he loved to do. Just sucks though, since he had more life in him left

 

[compuwiz1]

He probably felt nothing

 

[arcas]

I would have liked to have participated in this event but I don't have the requisite 50 jumps...Maybe next year...

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
What did it sound like, when he landed?
RIP cord no workie

From experience (i saw the one in 1987 that happened) its just a very loud clap and splash. He hit water BTW. not land

 

[0roo0roo]

well water at that speed is just like land

 

[T9D]

The morning news here showed him jump and falling. And then cut and showed his parachute in the water. It's a shame someone died but I cant say I feel all that sorry for someone who died doing something so dangerous (and stupid if you ask me).

 

[AnyMal]

That's sad.

On a different note, if you ever get a chance to visit that area, go! Some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see. An the view of the bridge and the montains from the river below can be absolutely breathtaking.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Motorheader
Check this out:

Base Compilation Video

Also there's a link to the known fatalities list.

To me it seems there's an inordinate number of Nordic fatalities.

awesome video!

 

[Kilgor]

I just can't feel sorry for the guy, he jumped off a bridge for no reason. I feel sorry for his family and friends that have to deal with his death.

 

[Trevelyan]

What's really weird is that they continued base jumping in the festival even after the accident.

Mathis Reimann, who jumped within an hour after the accident, said Schubert's death made him think about safety.

 

[Legendary]

Isn't base jumping one of the most statistically dangerous sports one could ever participate in?
Goes with the territory, and at least he died doing something he assumedly loved.

 

[d3n]

I would like to say that its something I might try once. That would take at least a couple years of building up to it with regular skydiving jumps I'm guessing. I don't think I have that in me.