A tourist from the UK narrowly avoided a fatal outcome after freefalling 11,000 feet in a skydiving mishap. Mitchell Deakin, a 24-year-old thrill-seeker from Lytham St Anne’s, Lancashire, was on a vacation in the United States when tragedy struck on September 17. During a tandem jump with an instructor over the Nevada desert, both the main parachute and emergency chute malfunctioned, causing them to plummet to the ground at a frightening speed of 45mph. They were promptly transported to the UMC trauma unit in Las Vegas for treatment of severe injuries.
Mitchell sustained a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, a perforated lung, and kidney damage. While he has since recovered and was marking his 25th birthday with his mother by his side, the instructor remains in critical condition. The incident is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
In response to the accident, Mitchell’s partner, Isabel Clacher, initiated a crowdfunding campaign to help cover medical expenses, raising £16,000 to date. Expressing gratitude for the support received, Isabel detailed the extent of Mitchell’s injuries and ongoing treatment in the US. Plans are in place to assist Mitchell in his recovery journey, including potential charity donations with leftover funds.
An update provided by Mitchell’s mother, Janine Deakin, indicated positive progress in his recovery, with improvements in mobility and overall well-being. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the incident involved a 24-year-old student and a 54-year-old instructor skydiving with Go Jump Las Vegas. The report outlined the sequence of events leading to the parachute malfunction and subsequent injuries sustained by both individuals during the fall. Both victims were swiftly airlifted to UMC Trauma for medical attention.
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