An 18 year-old Highbridge leisure assistant who does not have a head for heights performed a 15,000ft skydive on Sunday (April 1st) to help raise funds for charity.
Alex Crocker, who works at King Alfred’s Leisure Centre in Highbridge, carried out the jump at speeds of up to 120 miles an hour as part of a tandem team at Dunkeswell Airfield in East Devon.
Alex told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The weather was lovely and everything went so smoothly that I was able to jump earlier in the day than originally planned.”
“After getting the jumpsuit and safety harness on, we waited for the plane to come back from an earlier jump and at around 12.45pm it was my turn.”
“We entered the aircraft and began our ten-minute journey to 15,000ft and, believe you me, I experienced every second. When we reached 15,000ft we had to wait for some ‘fun jumpers’ to go first and when I saw them disappear in a flash I think it started to hit me what I was about to do!”
“We made our way to the exit and got in position, which involved me leaning out of the aircraft. At that moment I looked at the cameraman and off we went.”
“Whilst falling, the whole thing seemed surreal and seemed to happen really fast. After a minute free falling my instructor pulled the cord and out came the parachute which then allowed me to take in all the amazing scenery for the four minute decent back to the ground. We landed safely and softly.”
“I have already put down a deposit to do it again! I would recommend it to anyone who has every wanted to try it. If they want someone to go with them, give me a shout and I will happily do it with them.”
Alex hopes to have raised around £300 for BBC Sport Relief by completing the jump.
