Red Devils in Whitehaven Airshow mid-air parachute drama
20 June 2015
From the section Cumbria
One spectator described the crowds’ “panic” as the parachute failed
A Red Devil parachutist had a lucky escape when his chute failed to open during an airshow – but a team-mate caught him in mid-air.
The Army freefall parachute display team was performing at the Whitehaven Air Show in Cumbria on Friday night when the parachute failed.
Pictures on social media appeared to show the men coming down together and crashing into the harbour waters.
A message on the show’s Facebook page said both were alright.
It said: “We can confirm that the Red Devil parachutists are both safe and sound. For the first time in 25 years they had a parachute fail.
“One team member caught his team-mate and brought him into Queens Dock. Our safety procedures worked perfectly and a huge thank you to Whitehaven Marina for getting them out of the water so quickly.”
Lucy Milne, who was watching the display, said: “It seemed to go on for ages and it’s just seeing the panic of everyone around you and seeing it on the parachute guys as well – the panic.
“And then all of a sudden he just started to go really quick and everyone was holding their breath and then all of a sudden they were in the water.
“Everyone was staring at the water for ages waiting for them both to pop up and then when eventually they did everyone clapped. “
The Red Devils formed in 1963 and carries out more than 60 displays every year, according to its website.
It currently comprises of 12 serving soldiers from the three battalions of the Parachute Regiment, all of whom have to have at least three years …read more
Source:: BBC world news feed
