Skydiver survived 14,500ft plunge when her parachute failed – but she was still trouble after a one-in-a-million landing
A SKYDIVER whose parachute malfunctioned miraculously survived the shocking fall but landed in more trouble.
Joan Murray leapt from plane at 14,500 feet in what could have been her last dive from the sky.
But the woman defied all odds and survived thanks to an unlikely reason.
Murray was an experienced skydiver when she travelled to South Carolina to take part in her 36th dive in 1999.
47-year-old at the time, the parachutist hopped out of the plane and went into free-fall, unsuspecting of what was about to come.
When she tried to pull her toggle, the chute didn’t open.
With a long way down to the ground, Murray was plummeting at a whopping speed of 80 miles per hour.
But instead of panicking and crying, the skydiver remained calm and pulled the toggle of her reserve parachute.
When it opened, the chute became tangled as the woman was spinning so fast but it was able to slow her down a little.
With her backup failed and still 700 feet away from the ground, all odds were against Murray.
There’s reportedly only a 50 per cent chance of survival when falling from 48 feet.
And zero possibilities of staying alive if the fall is above 80 feet.
Miraculously, Murray survived the dramatic plunge despite her slim chances.
In a shocking twist, she landed on a mound of red ants that became her saving grace.
The parachutist was unable to move and still unconscious, trying to catch her breath.
But the angered ants attacked the skydiver, biting and stinging her over 200 times.
Murray felt a burning and stinging sensation on her back which ultimately led to her survival.
The ants were venomous and their poison shocked the woman, pumping her blood full of adrenaline which kept her heart beating.
The insects kept Murray company and helped her stay alive until the paramedics rushed to the scene and transported her to Carolina Medical Center.
The fallen diver had sustained several shattered bones and a few missing teeth after the humongous drop.
She was placed into a coma while doctors gave her 17 blood transfusions and performed 20 reconstructive surgeries.
Despite the horrifying experience that Murray went through, she wasn’t put off skydiving.
Just two years after the accident, the recovered parachutist bravely took to the skies again.
The miraculous survivor went on to live another 23 years after the incredible incident.
She passed away in May last year from cancer at the age of 70.
Her obituary reads: “Joan passed away in her home on Monday, May 23rd surrounded by her daughters and partner.
“She battled cancer for the past 29 months and is finally free of her pain.
“She fought the courageous fight and will be missed by so many loved ones.”