Death-defying escape in Sibu

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The parachute of Leigh saves his life at Floor 16 when it got stuck while he was sliding down the building, the state’s tallest building at 126 metres.

SIBU: The unthinkable nearly happened at Sibu BASE Jump yesterday morning, but Australian jumper Leigh Aldred narrowly escaped a grim ending in his leap of faith.

The high stakes in this sport became clear when the heart-stopping moments unfolded: Leigh leapt into the blue from Sanyan Building in mid-morning, and his parachute did not open in time.

With hearts in the mouth and necks craned skywards, the crowd gasped as the Australian jumper started tumbling down the side of the state’s tallest building. Until Floor 16, when his chute got stuck – that saved him from plunging to the ground.

Aussie Leigh Aldred (right) bear-hugs instructor Elliot Barstow after the harrowing incident.

The lucky jumper then climbed onto a balcony and came down – by elevator surely – to loud cheers.

Relieved spectators in the crowd said the accident might have only happened in a split second when the Australian’s parachute did not open, but that was enough to stop their hearts beating.

When Leigh walked out, he was cheered and hugged by the other 44 jumpers. He gave BASE jump instructor Elliot Barstow a bear-hug.

Leigh points to the building where he was saved by his parachute.

The Australian did not indicate he would give up the extreme sport after yesterday’s mighty escape.

Leigh’s upper body was only slightly hurt when he hit the building.

The biggest international extreme sport in town then proceeded smoothly for the rest of yesterday after the mid-morning incident.

But the very high stakes in this death-defying sport are as clear as blue skies from now on… and the large crowd watched on.

Spectators relate the accident of Leigh.