Nevada: Miracle as two men survive 11,000 feet free-fall when chutes fail during tandem skydive

Two men have miraculously survived hitting the ground after an 11,000 feet free-fall when their parachutes failed to open during a tandem skydive.

British tourist, Mitchell Deakin, 24, from Lancashire, took the leap of faith strapped to his skydiving instructor, Jiron Arcos Ponce, 54, over a desert in the US, but their joy soon turned to terror as the first parachute did not work.

After booking the experience via a school in Clark County, Nevada, Mitchell and Ponce were paired up and were spiralling toward earth when the main parachute failed to open, causing the instructor to reach for the emergency backup.

The secondary chute also failed to deploy, and the pair were left rocketing toward the ground.

Incredibly, both men survived the estimated 75 km/h impact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with Mr Mitchell’s hospital care after he suffered severe injuries, including a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, a perforated lung and a damaged kidney.

“As some of you will already know, Mitch was involved in a skydiving accident in Las Vegas on 17th September 2025,” Mr Mitchell’s partner, Isabel Clacher, said via the page.

“This accident has left Mitch with extreme injuries, including a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, pneumothorax (perforated lung) and a kidney laceration.

“Mitch has now had surgery in America, where they have put metal plates in his pelvis, so it will not collapse in on itself.”

She also revealed that he had been fitted with a chest drain to remove fluid from his lung and had been unable to stand or walk.

“As well as this, this has been extremely traumatic for him and his family and friends, as he is so far away from home, Ms Clacher said.

“We all want him back in the UK safe, where he can be looked after by us all.”

The GoFundMe donations have so far exceeded $32,000 as Mr Mitchell’s family work to arrange to transport him home to the UK.

“The donations made will go towards the rest of his recovery time in America, paying for any necessary medical bills, transportation and accommodation, as we do not know how long it will be until he can fly home.

“Mitch has told us that if there are any donations left over, he would like to donate them to a charity of his choice.

“We cannot thank you enough already for all the support through your kind words and messages.”

Mr Ponce reportedly remains in a critical condition in the hospital.

The US Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident.