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01/08/2008
NI Skydiver Survives Parachute Failure
The high octane excitement of a skydive proved to be too much for a Co Tyrone man who dropped to the ground like a stone from more than 100 feet after his parachute malfunctioned while in action over the Californian desert.
Paul McMahon, 29, from Baronscourt, hit the ground a lot harder than anticipated after his chute became twisted.
Although the odds are against survival - and he sustained multiple injuries, including numerous broken bones in the fall last weekend - he lived to tell the tale.
The BBC reports that his father, Victor, said he is lucky to be alive after the 14,000 ft jump went wrong.
"They thought he was dead when they went to look at him or the body," said Victor McMahon.
"He has two broken legs, broken femurs and in some breaks the bones were out through.
"He also has a crushed pelvis and there was a lot of blood lost - he lost pints of blood there and then on the spot."
In the aftermath of the fall, Paul was unconscious for three days, attached to a life support machine.
However, Mr McMahon is expected to make a full recovery, having been moved out of intensive care just days after the accident.
The adrenalin junky has completed over 100 skydives and was on his fourth of the day when disaster struck.
It is thought Paul may have to spend up to five months in hospital.
(BMcC)
Paul McMahon, 29, from Baronscourt, hit the ground a lot harder than anticipated after his chute became twisted.
Although the odds are against survival - and he sustained multiple injuries, including numerous broken bones in the fall last weekend - he lived to tell the tale.
The BBC reports that his father, Victor, said he is lucky to be alive after the 14,000 ft jump went wrong.
"They thought he was dead when they went to look at him or the body," said Victor McMahon.
"He has two broken legs, broken femurs and in some breaks the bones were out through.
"He also has a crushed pelvis and there was a lot of blood lost - he lost pints of blood there and then on the spot."
In the aftermath of the fall, Paul was unconscious for three days, attached to a life support machine.
However, Mr McMahon is expected to make a full recovery, having been moved out of intensive care just days after the accident.
The adrenalin junky has completed over 100 skydives and was on his fourth of the day when disaster struck.
It is thought Paul may have to spend up to five months in hospital.
(BMcC)
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