rescue firegeezer on 26 Sep 2007 04:51 pm
Rescue Underway For Parachutist
TV STATION KOB IN ALBUQUERQUE is reporting that police and firefighters are working in the Taos River gorge to rescue a parachutist who illegally attempted a stunt jump from the River Gorge Bridge this morning.
Cathy Connelly, Public Relations Coordinator for the Town of Taos, says the man, whose name has not been released, was blown into the side of the gorge and became stuck half way between the bridge and the Rio Grande.
Conelly says the man broke his leg. Other than that, she says the man appears to be okay.
“We get people trying to do this all of the time,” she said. “While it is 800 feet [from the bridge to the river], people don’t realize what the wind will do.”
She said that he will undoubtedly face charges.
Unidentified jumper rests his broken leg
and eats an orange while awaiting rescuers.
Update, Sept. 27: The Taos News is reporting:
Andy Norris, 24, and one of his friends were building, antennae, span and earth (BASE) jumping from the Gorge Bridge during a visit to New Mexico from San José, Calif., when Norris’ parachute didn’t open enough to break his 600-foot fall from the bridge.
New Mexico State Police Lt. Wesley LaCuesta said that safety matters of the sport require BASE jumpers to wait four seconds before deploying their parachutes.
“Both were experienced BASE jumpers. He did a back flip and waited five seconds,” LaCuesta said. “His chute didn’t fully open.”
LaCuesta said Norris suffered a broken ankle and femur. Responding units administered morphine to Norris before a Santa Fe National Guard Black Hawk helicopter airlifted Norris from the Gorge around 2:30 p.m. and took him to Holy Cross Hospital. LaCuesta said state police are considering citing Norris for a public nuisance charge.
