15 March 2024 , 21:57
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A British basejumper had to be rushed to hospital after narrowly escaping death when he plummeted 460ft from a motorway bridge.
The man, who has not yet been named, fell from the Verrières Viaduct near Millau in southern France, but his parachute failed to open in time and he crashed into a tree before tumbling into the Lumensonesque stream.
Thankfully, the foliage managed to slow down what would have been a fatal fall and he was rescued from drowning by a group of fishermen who had been working near the viaduct.
On the same day, French officials had rolled out a yellow weather warning due to severe flooding and strong currents in local rivers. French media reported the man was lucky to have been spotted quickly considering the weather conditions.
Firefighters arrived and arranged for him to be taken to hospital after he complained of back injuries. French investigators have launched a probe as basejumping from the site is illegal. Just last year, another man died during a similar jump because his parachute failed to open.
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Thankfully, fishermen managed to save him from drowning (Millavois.com)France is currently being battered by Storm Monica, which has led authorities to roll out a blanket ban on all watersports in local rivers. According to reports, the British victim had travelled from England to make the jump at the popular spot. He was later taken to the nearby Millau hospital.
Basejumpers typically leap from lower heights than other forms of parachuting, like skydiving, and usually open their chutes at the latest point possible - making it far more dangerous.
It's estimated that as many as 7.6 people on average lose their lives basejumping per year. A 45-year-old Brit had to be fished out of the Verrieres viaduct in March 2023 after plummetting 460ft from the bridge. According to media reports at the time, he missed his landing and was taken to a nearby emergency centre.