Skydiving is one of the most popular thrill-seeking activities. Nothing quite beats the scenes you see as you plummet to the ground from an airplane, thousands of feet in the air. Of course, the only thing keeping you safe in that situation is your parachute. In 1999, for Joan Murray, an experienced skydiver, that lifeline had malfunctioned during one of her jumps. However, even then, Murray lived to tell the tale!
The incident took place during Murray’s 36th skydive. So, calling her experienced is an understatement, as she jumped off from the plane in South Carolina. At the time, she was a Bank of America Corporation employee. Murray had a specific reason behind the particular skydive – to test out new equipment for the activity. The then-47-year-old went through the regular procedures as she jumped off the plane. After reaching a stable free-fall, Murray pulled the parachute toggle. However, not a single thing happened. As a result, Murray plummeted at about 80 miles per hour, with nothing to reduce her speed.
The Miraculous Failed Skydive
At this point, a lot of us would have shut our eyes tight, praying and waiting for the inevitable end. However, skydiver Murray, probably because of her experience, was calm. She simply pulled the toggle for her backup parachute. This time, it worked. However, the existing speed and angle of the descent meant that, after opening, Murray remained in a spinning motion. Thus, the cords of the reserve one got tangled and eventually failed while Murray was still about 700 feet from the ground.
According to Live Science, humans have a 50/50 chance of surviving a 48-feet fall. If the fall is more than 80 feet, then the chances become 0. Just to reiterate, Murray was facing a fall of 700 feet – almost 10 times the height from which it is certain death. However, Murray survived the initial fall and the force of hitting the ground. Murray’s landing spot was a mound of red ants. The ants were furious at the sudden intrusion into their home. As Joan lay there paralyzed, miraculously conscious after the fall, she could do little more than lay there and try and catch her breath. However, the red ants would have none of it. In a seemingly cruel twist of fate, they furiously attacked the skydiver.
According to Murray, she felt a stinging and burning feeling spread across her back. Later examinations claimed that she had suffered over 200 red ant bites during the duration she was there. However, as torturous as it was, it was instrumental in ensuring Murray remained alive. The red ants’ venomous poison forced her body to pump adrenaline as hard as it could and keep the heart beating. Eventually, paramedics reached her landing spot and took her to Carolina Medical Center.
The Aftermath Of The Fall
The examinations revealed that Murray had suffered several shattered bones. She had also lost some of her teeth, because of the fall. The doctors kept her in a medically induced coma as they performed 20 reconstructive surgeries and gave her 17 blood transfusions. Joan eventually made a complete recovery and in 2001, she even went back to attempt her next skydive. Sadly, just over 20 years later, Joan passed away.
We leave the story with the solemn words on her obituary: “Joan passed away in her home on Monday, May 23rd surrounded by her daughters and partner. She battled cancer for the past 29 months and is finally free of her pain. She fought the courageous fight and will be missed by so many loved ones.
[…] Although Joan is known for her bright smile and warm hospitality, she is most recognized for her surviving a skydiving accident in September of 1999. Her survival was nothing short of a miracle and her story is still shared on social media today. Joan enjoyed baking, working in the yard, walking on the beach, trips to Costco and spending time with her family. Joan took great joy in her beloved grandson Henry. She took the time to make everyone feel special and loved.”
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