Miracle survival: Thai soldier escapes death after parachute fails during routine jump

A Thai soldier narrowly escaped death after his parachute failed to deploy during a routine jump in Nakhon Si Thammara province, near the Fort Wachirawut military base.

The soldier's freefall lasted for several seconds before he plunged into a nearby pond, which ultimately helped cushion the impact of the fall, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Wetanya Ketkaew, an eyewitness to the incident, recalled his shock as the soldier’s descent became increasingly rapid.

“The paratroopers had leapt from a helicopter, but one of them was falling faster than the others because he couldn't open his parachute,” he said. “I was so shocked that I ran and tried to inform the other soldiers in the area. It turns out the soldier managed to land safely on the ground. He had fallen into a pond, but he was alive,” Ketkaew said. 

Upon landing in the pond, the soldier managed to free himself from the damaged parachute. Despite the harrowing experience, medical personnel confirmed that he only sustained minor injuries. Thewan Ketkaew, a local journalist who was working nearby, also witnessed the fall.

He remarked on the challenging weather conditions on the day of the jump: Ketkaew explained that the wind had been quite strong, but it appeared that everything was under control. However, he then noticed one of the paratroopers begin to fall uncontrollably. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the parachute malfunction.

By Naila Huseynova