BASE jumpers' terrifying close call caught on camera
Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 6:58 PM EDTUpdated: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 7:29 PM EDTBy Ashleigh Barry





The jumpers' tangled chutes were useless. (Source: KPHO/KTVK)




(Source: KPHO/KTVK)




One jumper was trying to meet another mid-air. (Source: KPHO/KTVK)


PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) - It was a close call for two BASE jumpers who took a leap off the Superstition Mountains. They ended up tangled on the way down but managed to free themselves before it was too late. Officials are now speaking out about the stunt.
The range is managed by the Tonto National Forest. Officials say the jump was perfectly legal, but it certainly highlights the possibility of how things can go terribly wrong.
A BASE (building, antenna tower, span, earth) jump is a parachute jump from a fixed point like a cliff or a bridge rather than from an airplane. Such jumps are generally from a height of 1,000 feet or less, which means there's very little room for error.
Video of the incident shows the group of Valley BASE jumpers taking a breathtaking leap.
Everything was running smoothly until one man jumped to meet a friend in mid-air. Their parachutes got tangled, turning the leap of faith into a potentially deadly free fall. The chutes were rendered nearly useless, all the while the two were seen spiraling down fast.
When they hit 200 feet above the ground, they somehow managed to untangle themselves. While one jumper's parachute safely hung on the edge of a rock, the other made it to the ground. Both walked away unharmed.
Carrie Templin with the Tonto National Forest says although risky, there is no forest policy that would prevent thrill seekers from doing such a jump.
"You better hope that they know what they're doing because that much of a drop is not forgiving, and you don't get a second chance to make a mistake on that," she said.
She added that it was amazing the two survived. She hopes it's a lesson for others -- think before you jump.
"That's the best part of this whole story is they actually made it down to the ground without serious injuries, which is a miracle into of itself," she said.
The two men will not be charged in this incident because officials say their actions were legal.
Forest officials stress the importance of researching the range before you visit, especially because there are regulations against trespassing in some areas.
For more information on recreation rules on the Tonto National Forest, check out www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.