BASE jumping flame stunt ends in tragedy
A BASE jumping stunt has ended in a tragic, fiery death of a 73-year-old California man.
Footage has emerged revealing the final plunge of James E. Hickey, who was killed May 7 after he lit his backup parachute on fire in a jump gone terribly wrong above the Snake River, Idaho.
The YouTube video shows Hickey leap from the Perrine Memorial Bridge, a popular BASE jumping spot, and almost immediately become engulfed in a fireball and fall into the river below.
Daily News reported Hickey was an experienced BASE jumper and skydiver.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Capt. Brent Hilliard told Daily News there was nothing to indicate foul play.
It’s believed Hickey had done the fire stunt before while skydiving.
This time the flaming chute was supposed to give way to a second chute.
Hundreds of people jump from the bridge each year.
