A skydiver who was knocked unconscious during a jump at Langar has survived with a broken leg and fractured vertebrae.
Holly Wiffen was injured on 7 August after colliding with another skydiver during a group tracking jump. Her sister Hannah said Holly regained consciousness on the ground.
According to The Sun, Holly, 35, from Okehampton in Devon, descended with both parachutes deployed before hitting a conifer tree. The newspaper reports that the two canopies formed a “downplane”, resulting in a dangerously fast descent. Holly believes the tree helped save her life.
Her family has set up a fundraiser to help pay for physiotherapy and meet some of her costs while she is unable to work.
Writing on the appeal page, Hannah said her sister faces a lengthy recovery and, because she is self-employed, needs help with expenses during her time off.
“Unfortunately she suffered a broken leg and fractured vertebrae but was lucky to walk (hobble) away with her life,” she wrote.
Hannah said the money would help Holly access physiotherapy, citing a long NHS waiting list, as well as cover other costs during her recovery.
“Holly isn’t one to ask for help but I know from what she has told me about the skydiving community everyone will be eager to help out one of their own.”
The GoFundMe appeal, titled “Get Holly back on her feet”, had raised £1,890 from 39 donations when checked on Monday 7 September. The page was showing donations as paused.
The family’s fundraiser can be viewed at Get Holly back on her feet.
