A 25-year-old British skydiver and his instructor survived a dramatic fall from 11,000 feet in Las Vegas. Despite severe injuries, Mitchell Deakin is on the road to recovery. Read more about the incident and his family’s update.
A 25-year-old British man is recovering after surviving a terrifying fall of 11,000 feet when his parachute failed to open during a skydiving attempt just outside Las Vegas. Alongside his 54-year-old skydiving instructor, who was also involved in the incident, Mitchell Deakin endured multiple serious injuries after they were forced to land in the desert at speeds of up to 45 mph on September 17, 2024.
The Skydiving Incident and Injuries
According to a report from the Metropolitan Police Department, Deakin and his instructor, identified by a family friend as Jiron Arcos Ponce, were strapped together when they began an uncontrollable spin during their descent. Their parachute failed to deploy, leading to a catastrophic landing.
Deakin, who is being treated at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, suffered a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, a perforated lung, and a lacerated kidney. He underwent surgery in the U.S. where doctors placed metal plates in his pelvis to prevent further collapse. A GoFundMe campaign set up for Deakin explains:
“Mitch has now had surgery in America, and doctors have put metal plates in his pelvis, so it will not collapse in on itself. He’s also having liquid drained from his lung and is unable to stand or walk at the moment.”
Deakin’s Recovery and Family Support
Deakin’s mother shared an update, detailing that he has been undergoing physiotherapy and is now able to walk with a frame, though he cannot bear weight on his right leg. The family also learned of more internal injuries in his back, ribs, and pelvis, though they were told these injuries are stable and should heal with time.
She said:
“He was particularly exhausted yesterday but had a great sleep. A dietician has arranged food he does like so hopefully that will help him get stronger. He isn’t really eating very much.”
Despite his injuries, Deakin’s mother praised his positive attitude, saying he is “truly grateful” for the support he’s received since the accident.
GoFundMe for Mitchell Deakin’s Recovery
The GoFundMe page set up for Deakin’s recovery aims to raise £20,000 ($27,010) to cover medical bills, transportation, and accommodation while he remains in the U.S. until he can safely return to the UK. As of October 2, the campaign has raised £18,598 ($25,117).
Organizer Isabel Clacher explained that the entire situation has been “extremely traumatic” for Deakin and his family, especially because of how far away he is from home.
“We all want him back in the UK safe, where he can be looked after by us all. Mitch has told us that if there are any donations left over, he would like to donate them to a charity of his choice,” Clacher said.
Investigation Into Parachute Failure
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the parachute failure, examining both the packing of the main and reserve parachutes and the safety protocols for the skydiving instructor and aircraft. A spokesperson for the FAA stated:
“If the FAA does not find any evidence of regulatory violation, it will defer any further investigation of the accident to local law enforcement.”
As of now, the cause of the parachute failure remains unclear, but the investigation is ongoing.
