Featured Image Credit: @Morbidful/X/Fact Republic
Topics: Health, Mental Health, World News, Animals
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Health, Mental Health, World News, Animals
Skydiver Joan Murray's parachute malfunctioned yet she miraculously survived in a shocking way.
Murray was a fairly experienced skydiver when she traveled to South Carolina to take part in her 36th dive.
However, she could never have prepared for falling a whopping 14,500-foot fall.
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Murray - an employee at the Bank of America Corporation - was testing out new skydiving equipment on the fateful day in 1999.
The skydiver - 47 years old at the time - hopped out of the plane, went into free-fall and then pulled her toggle. But nothing happened.
Murray was left with a long way down to the ground, traveling at a speed of a whopping 80 miles per hour, according to Tuko.
Despite how most of us would've started screaming, crying and saying our last prayers, Murray remained calm and pulled the toggle for her reserve parachute.
Alas, while it opened, Murray was still spinning and so the parachute became tangled, failing as a result.
She was subsequently left 700 feet away from the ground - there's reportedly a 50 percent chance of survival if falling from 48 feet, which reduces to zero if above 80 feet.
Miraculously, Murray defied the odds and survived. But how?
Well, when Murray finally hit the ground, she ended up landing on a mound of ants. And they weren't just any normal ants, but red ants, angered by the sudden disruption to their home.
Murray was unable to move, remarkably still conscious, but lying on the angry ant's mound trying to catch her breath.
Suddenly - as if matters couldn't get much worse - the ants attacked the skydiver, with Murray feeling a burning and stinging sensation on her back. However, ultimately, it's the ants' biting and stinging - over 200 times according to X account Legends of Surgery - which apparently kept Murray alive.
The ants were venomous and their poison shocked Murray, pumping her full of adrenaline and keeping her heart beating.
The insects kept Murray alive and in company until paramedics rushed to the scene and then transported her to Carolina Medical Center.
It was discovered Murray had sustained several shattered bones and a few missing teeth in her humungous fall.
She was placed into a coma by doctors so they could give her 17 blood transfusions and perform 20 reconstructive surgeries.
Murray recovered and, two years after the accident, bravely took to the skies again.
Murray passed away in May last year, but will always be remembered as the miracle skydiver.
Her obituary reads: "Joan passed away in her home on Monday, May 23rd surrounded by her daughters and partner. She battled cancer for the past 29 months and is finally free of her pain. She fought the courageous fight and will be missed by so many loved ones.
"[...] Although Joan is known for her bright smile and warm hospitality, she is most recognized for her surviving a skydiving accident in September of 1999. Her survival was nothing short of a miracle and her story is still shared on social media today. Joan enjoyed baking, working in the yard, walking on the beach, trips to Costco and spending time with her family. Joan took great joy in her beloved grandson Henry. She took the time to make everyone feel special and loved."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.