The story of how a parachutist fell from 4,400 meters and survived
Category: Interesting photo stories, PEGI 0+
Today, 05:36
Forty-five seconds of freefall ended with Joan pulling the throttle—her main parachute failed to open. The backup canopy deployed, but twisted and also failed. About 200 meters later, she plummeted to the ground at about 130 km/h.
Despite the suddenness and apparent hopelessness of the situation, the woman survived. Doctors noticed strange red marks on her body—she had fallen directly into a nest of fire ants. Over 200 stings injected her with solenopsin, a venom that stimulated her nervous system and supported her heart, preventing fatal shock.
Joan underwent about 20 surgeries, spent two weeks in a coma, and spent a long time recuperating. But just two years later, she took another chance and made a parachute jump. 
