BASE jumper may be charged for crashing on Table Mountain

Around 10am yesterday morning, 16 January 2012, world renowned BASE jumper and wingsuit expert Jeb Corliss’s second Table Mountain jump in a week went wrong. Corliss had been in Cape Town for the last few days BASE jumping and flying wingsuits. The daredevil is in Cape Town filming a special for American TV network HBO and the jump will be aired next month on Real Sports.

The video footage shows Corliss (in black) clipping a ledge with his legs before spinning out of control. The daredevil miraculously managed to open his emergency chute before he hit the ground. Later Joby Ogwyn (in red) who was flying just ahead of Corliss said he heard two very loud strikes.

Corliss was recovered and airlifted off Table Mountain and taken to Christaan Barnaard Hospital in Cape Town.

The story gained traction on Twitter as the news spread globally. Wishes and Corliss encounters began to appear. Terry Walsh (@TerryTravelGuy) tweeted:

‘I saw Jeb Corliss fly right past me the other day from my Abseil post on Table Mountain. #AbseilAfrica Hope he gets better soon.’

The Telegraph in the UK ran a report in which Michelle Norris, spokesman for Christiaan Barnaard Hospital, asked him what to tell the public, ‘He smiled at me and said, ‘Tell them I feel the best I ever have’, she said. Norris also confirmed Corliss had broken both legs and was being admitted to intensive care for tests.

Soon after reports of the incident began to appear in the media, news filtered through that the Table Mountain National Park authorities were threatening to fine and possibly press charges against Corliss for jumping without a permit.