On September 17, Mitchell Deakin plummeted 11,000 feet near Las Vegas after catastrophic parachute failure during a tandem jump with his instructor, Jiron Arcos Ponce. Both suffered serious injuries after an uncontrollable spin led to a high-speed impact in the desert.
Despite severe trauma — including a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, a damaged lung, and kidney lacerations — Deakin survived and was evacuated via helicopter to a Las Vegas trauma center. His surgeon has installed metal reinforcements in his pelvis, and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation but faces ongoing mobility challenges.
Deakin’s mother has updated that he continues physiotherapy with cautious optimism. The skydiving instructor remains in critical condition. The FAA is probing the parachute failure to determine causes.
A GoFundMe page organized by Deakin’s partner has raised thousands in donations to assist with medical costs and support his long recovery process far from home.
