Cameras capture mid-air rescue at UK Army airshow as parachute fails

A British military stunt team member whose chute failed to open properly owes a big ‘thank you’ to a teammate who grabbed his parachute and got them both to a safe landing. The Red Devils display team was performing Friday at the Whitehaven Airshow in northwestern England. Eyewitness Lucy Milne told the BBC on Saturday that spectators watched aghast as one of the men frantically kicking before his teammate rescued him.

He was violently kicking his legs and he was trying to get free or trying to manoeuvre. Above him was another man tangled up in his parachute.

Lucy Milne, witness

A message posted on the show’s Facebook page assured spectators that both were fine after “one team member caught his teammate and brought him into Queens Dock.” The parachutists landed in water and were plucked to safety. An Army spokesman said it was the first time a parachute had failed in 25 years. He said an investigation had been launched.

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