WATCH: daredevil skydiver leap from plane with no parachute in record-breaking stunt
Luke Aikins fell into a giant net that was suspended off the ground in the desert in Southern California
A daredevil skydiver has become the first to jump from a height of 7,620 metres without a parachute, landing in a net in southern California, a spokesman said.
Luke Aikins, 42, who has 18,000 jumps under his belt, completed the jump in Simi Valley just west of Los Angeles, landing in a net measuring 30 metres by 30 metres in a feat broadcast on Fox.
“Aikins’ leap represents the culmination of a 26-year career that will set a personal and world record for the highest jump without a parachute or wing suit,” his spokesman Justin Aclin said in an email.
The Fox broadcast showed Aikins, who was wearing an oxygen mask because of the altitude, jump out of a propeller plane in a bright green outfit along with three parachutists.
He later handed the mask to one of the other jumpers in mid-air. Then, the three accompanying skydivers opened their chutes and seemed to rise up away from Aikins, as he fell alone.
Lights were set along the side of the net to serve as a guide for Aikins to aim himself as he hurtled toward it. When he was on target, the lights shone white.