Canberra, March 2 (IANS) Footage of a skydiver suffering a seizure during freefall over Western Australia has taken the internet by storm – with nearly two million views in a day, media reported Monday.
The footage, uploaded to YouTube on Sunday, captures the terrifying moment when a trainee solo skydiver suffered mid-air seizure at 9,000 ft, only to be saved by his instructor, WA Today reported.
Christopher Jones, the man behind the 12,000-ft jump in Pinjarra, was halfway through his training programme when he made the nail-biting jump back in November 2014.
On Youtube, Jones said it was “possibly the scariest moment of my life”.
He added: “On the 14th of November 2014 while doing stage five of my accelerated free fall programme I have a near death experience. At around 9,000 ft I have a seizure while attempting a left hand turn. I then spend the next 30 seconds in free fall unconscious.
“Thankfully, my jumpmaster manages to pull my ripcord at around 4,000 ft. I become conscious at 3,000 ft and land safely back to the ground.”
West Australian Skydiving Academy chief instructor Robin O’Neill said Jones was at an advanced stage of a training programme and was halfway to becoming a licensed qualified jumper.
“Traditionally, we do not entertain people with epilepsy to learn how to skydive,” O’Neill said.
“Christopher got through our screening process because he had a letter from his treating specialist that specifically said his condition was under control and she considered him fit to skydive.”
O’Neill said he had since written letters to the specialist “questioning her rationale”.
“And the sad thing is I don’t think he can even drive a car any more,” O’Neill said.