Khaberni - Quiet beach moments on one of the southern beaches of Florida turned into a shocking scene, after an automatic parachutist fell from a great height into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, amid the astonishment of beachgoers and rescuers.
The parachutist, named Brian Winglarz (52 years old), was flying with a motorized parachute equipped with a rear propeller and a glider, when the engine suddenly stopped while he was flying over "Ocean Reef Park" in Riviera Beach, according to "The Sun" newspaper.
Footage circulated by eyewitnesses showed the man violently swinging in the air, after strong winds began pulling the parachute left and right, before it partially collapsed, leading him into a sharp fall from an estimated height of about 500 feet, ending with him crashing into the water about 75 yards from the shore, while his deflated parachute floated on the waves near Singer Island.
According to investigators, it is likely that Winglarz was hit by a sudden gust of wind that caused him to lose control of the motorized parachute, a type that relies on an engine carried on the back and a flight parachute, leading to a partial collapse of the parachute and loss of maneuvrability.
The shock was not only felt by the spectators, but also by the rescuers who immediately responded, and an eyewitness said: "I saw someone fall from the sky".
Beach rescuer Sarah Williamson, from the Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue, was among the first to witness the incident. The parachutist had caught her attention from the beginning, as this type of flight is rarely seen along that coastal stretch.
With the help of her colleague John Wendel, and a fisherman who was diving in the area incidentally, the rescue team was able to reach the injured man and free him from the tangled ropes and equipment, before transporting him to the shore.
Contrary to expectations, Winglarz survived with minor injuries, limited to cuts and scrapes, in an incident described by paramedics as "extraordinary". Rescuers believe that the protective helmet played a crucial role in saving his life.
Later footage from police cameras showed the remnants of the torn parachute and scattered flying equipment on the beach, while the parachutist appeared in shock, complaining only about losing his mobile phone which sank in the sea.
