Skydiver Who Survived 10,000-Ft. Freefall After Being Knocked Unconscious Mid-Jump Opens Up About Moment She Woke Up in a Tree

A woman from Devon has recounted her extraordinary experience of survival following a harrowing skydive accident where she fell over 10,000 feet after losing consciousness. Holly Wiffen, 35, participated in a group skydive on 7 August when the incident transpired shortly after exiting the aircraft.

During a recent appearance on the popular ITV show ‘This Morning’, Wiffen shared that she collided with another skydiver almost immediately after jumping from the plane, resulting in her plummeting towards the ground at speeds reaching 150 mph. Wiffen recalled the surreal nature of the experience, saying, “I was just dreaming of falling,” which she described as strangely peaceful despite the circumstances.

Wiffen, a resident of Okehampton, suffered severe injuries in the incident, including a broken leg and a fractured spine. After falling for roughly 10,000 feet, she regained consciousness when she was about 1,000 feet from the ground and instinctively deployed her main parachute. In a fortunate turn of events, her automatic activation device similarly deployed her reserve canopy shortly thereafter.

While reflecting on the moment of collision, Wiffen mentioned, “It just went black. I don’t even kind of remember leaving the plane.” Despite the shock from the impact, she was able to fall back on her training. “In my mind I was thinking back to my training,” she explained. Her determination to respond quickly ultimately played a key role in her survival.

Wiffen described the moment where she found herself falling and drifting in and out of consciousness. “I just thought, ‘Oh, I’m falling, and I’m dreaming about falling,’” she recounted. This unusual state of mind, coupled with her training, allowed her to regain some semblance of control right before deploying her parachute.

Upon landing, Wiffen remarked that she felt barely any pain, which she attributes to the shock of the incident. “Absolutely nothing… maybe it was shock,” she noted while speaking to hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on the show. Incredibly, she landed in a tree, which likely cushioned her fall.

Reflecting on the accident, Wiffen expressed her understanding that it was just a tragic error. “It’s just one of those things … just an accident, a misjudgment of speed … wrong place, wrong time, really,” she said. Her fellow skydivers were quick to react, with one attempting to catch up with her when realising something was wrong.

Despite the terrifying ordeal, Wiffen is eager to return to the skies. “I can’t wait to get back, honestly, if they would let me do a tandem now, I would be in the sky,” she stated, highlighting her resilience and passion for skydiving even after such a dramatic sequence of events.

Wiffen’s story is not only a testament to her survival but also serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with extreme sports. Several precautions, training, and safety devices contributed to her remarkable escape from a life-threatening situation.

With the skydive community often promoting a culture of safety and preparedness, Wiffen’s experience can serve as a valuable lesson for both seasoned jumpers and novices alike. The ability to act in high-pressure situations can mean the difference between life and death, and Wiffen’s quick thinking undoubtedly played a crucial role in her survival.