British skydiver James Boole survives 6,000 ft fall without a parachute in Russia
Last updated 5/19/2009 10:59:48 AM
British skydiver survives fall without a parachute
As lucky escapes go - it takes some beating. A British skydiver has told how survived despite plunging 6,000 ft without a parachute in Russia.
Imagine the relief for James Boole and his family in Tamworth, Staffordshire. His extraordinary survival tale shows how split-second timing can make all the difference.
James, who was filming the other skydiver for a television documentary, says he was waiting for a signal by another skydiver to open his parachute, but it came two seconds too late.
He landed on snow-covered rocks and suffered a broken back and rib - and feared he was going to die. But against all odds he survived, thinking of his wife and daughter.
For the first forty eight hours after the incident, he was confused and believed he must be in heaven. He says now: "I couldn't make sense of it - how I was still here to come through this?"
Now, thankfully, James is back home in a body brace and recovering from his ordeal. His wife Kristina says she hopes that despite 2,500 jumps to his name, he'll finally call it a day.