Skydive survivor takes to the air again

Shropshire, UK – 25th June 2010 – Skydive survivor Paul Lewis is taking to the air once again to raise money for the Midland Air Ambulance, who saved his life almost a year ago.

Lewis was moments away from death when both his main and reserve parachutes failed to open correctly during a 10,000ft skydive on 14th August 2009. The experienced skydiver fell unconscious then collided with a warehouse roof near Tilstock Airfield, Shropshire where he was rescued and airlifted to hospital by the Midland Air Ambulance. Despite suffering neck, back and shoulder injuries, Lewis, was successfully operated on and has since made a full recovery. Lewis is now hoping to raise money for the Air Ambulance Service by organising a sponsored Tandem skydive. At a later date he also intends to organise a similar event in aid of the Fire service charity. “I wanted to repay the Air Ambulance,” Lewis said. “I owe my life to them.” Despite gaining the all clear on 21st June 2010 to jump again, Lewis is not jumping this time around. Instead he is piloting the aircraft for first-time jumper Chloe Chard. Following his accident in 2009, Lewis vowed never to jump again. However, he is planning to make a skydiving comeback in the near future. “I will probably do another jump, but not for another six months,” Lewis added. “I am concentrating on flying for now.” Chloe Chard, a 17-year old student at the Thomas Telford School, Shropshire, has volunteered to complete the jump on Lewis’ behalf. The pair are hoping to raise at least £1,000 for the Midland Air Ambulance service. “Somehow I have produced a daughter who has no fear and is up for anything,” Sarah Chard, Chloe’s mum said. “When she heard he (Lewis) was looking for someone, she ‘jumped’ at the idea.” The teenager, who is hoping to join the army once she finishes her A-Levels, is being sponsored to complete a tandem jump. The event will take place on 17th July 2010 at the Tilstock Airfield, near Whitchurch, Shropshire, the site in which Lewis’ accident occurred. It will be Chloe’s first skydive. Paul Lewis is a freelance cameraman and experienced skydiver who has completed 661 jumps. He was filming a first- time jumper when his accident happened in 2009. The accident, which received much national news coverage at the time, was caught on his camera as he fell and landed onto a nearby warehouse roof. It is thought Lewis survived the fall as he landed on a flexible part of the roof which cushioned his impact. ENDS Notes for News Desk: Sponsorship for Chloe’s jump should be sent to: Sarah Chard c/o Wellington Market Company 21 Market Street Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1DT

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