Man survives US skydiving plunge

Paul McMahon has completed over 100 skydives

A County Tyrone man has told how his son survived after his parachute malfunctioned while skydiving over the Californian desert.

Paul McMahon, 29, from Baronscourt, hit the ground from more than 100 feet after his chute became twisted.

He sustained multiple injuries, including numerous broken bones, in the fall last weekend.

His father Victor has said he is lucky to be alive after the 14,000 ft jump went wrong.

Mr McMahon is expected to make a full recovery, having been moved out of intensive care just days after the accident.

He has completed over 100 skydives and was on his fourth of the day when disaster struck.

"They thought he was dead when they went to look at him or the body," said Victor McMahon.

"He has two broken legs, broken femurs and in some breaks the bones were out through.

'Crushed'

"He also has a crushed pelvis and there was a lot of blood lost - he lost pints of blood there and then on the spot."

In the aftermath of the fall, Paul was unconscious for three days, attached to a life support machine.

His 63-year-old father will fly to California at the weekend to be with him, while his mother Betty waits by the phone.

It is thought Paul may have to spend up to five months in hospital.