Mitchell Deakin, a 24-year-old from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, endured an 11,000ft plunge at 72km/h over the Nevada desert on 17 September when both his main and emergency parachutes malfunctioned during a tandem skydive with instructor Jiron Arcos Ponce.
Deakin sustained a fractured pelvis and ribs, perforated lung, and damaged kidney, while Ponce, aged 54, remains in critical condition; both received treatment at University Medical Centre’s trauma unit in Las Vegas.
The pair departed from Jean Airport in Clark County, Nevada, aboard a small plane, with the malfunction causing uncontrolled spinning before ground impact, under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Isabel Clacher, Deakin’s partner, initiated a GoFundMe appeal covering medical bills, raising over £16,000 (€18,400) for his US recovery, including surgery with metal plates in his pelvis and lung drainage.
Deakin’s mother, Janine, described his outlook as positive amid excellent hospital care, expressing gratitude for support, as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed two jumper sets exited the aircraft, one encountering the failure.
Isabel Clacher shared “As some of you will already know, Mitch was involved in a skydiving accident in Las Vegas on September 17. This accident has left Mitch with extreme injuries… Mitch has now had surgery in America where they have put metal plates in his pelvis, so it will not collapse in on itself. He is also having liquid drained from his lung and is unable to stand/walk at the moment. As well as this, this has been extremely traumatic for him and his family and friends, as he is so far away from home. We all want him back in the UK safe, where he can be looked after by us all. 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.”
Janine Deakin shared “He is really positive, being looked after by an excellent hospital team and is truly grateful for all your kindness, messages, chats and calls.”
