OSLO, Norway A Norwegian thrill jumper says he learned a hard lesson about tempting fate after surviving a spine-chilling crash in a jump from a mountain.
Video captured by a camera attached to Hans Langes specially designed jump suit showed him struggling to straighten out his parachute before slamming into a rock wall and crashing into a tree top.
He survived with a broken leg.
The 44-year-old says he was too nonchalant and added there is no room for mistakes in this sport.
The accident happened Aug. 23, as the experienced BASE jumper leapt off the 1,600-metre-high peak.
BASE is an acronym that stands for the categories of fixed objects from which a person can jump with a parachute building, antenna, span or earth.
Lange said he was flying down the side of the Bjoerketind mountain at nearly 180 kilometres per hour when he realized he was too close to the wall.
He deployed his chute and tried to steer away from the wall, but it was too late. The video showed Lange crying out in pain as he bumped into the rock repeatedly while trying to untangle the cords.
The fall came to an abrupt end when he slammed into a tree about 100 metres above the planned landing site.
After overcoming the initial shock, Lange turned to the camera and said: What a bummer ... Oh well, Im alive.
He was rescued by a helicopter 45 minutes later.
Lange told AP by telephone he was lucky to be alive but wasnt about to give up the thrill of BASE jumping.
When I have recovered I will jump again, he said. It all comes down to better planning. Its a fantastic feeling to fly along a mountainside.
Norwegian mountain jumper survives crash after chute problem
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Published on
September 5, 2008
- Published on January 4, 2010
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The Associated Press ~ staff The News
OSLO, Norway A Norwegian thrill jumper says he learned a hard lesson about tempting fate after surviving a spine-chilling crash in a jump from a mountain.
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