A lot of us have been wondering what went wrong when Jeb Corliss crashed into Table Mountain in South Africa on January 16th and badly broke both legs. What better place to hear an explanation than from the man himself:
I was asked in a base jumping forum what happened. This was my response.
Well the answer is very simple. I was flying to close and messed up 🙂 I was going for a black balloon that was basically laying on the rocks and was going to try and kick it with my foot. In order to do this I had to fly low and flat between boulders. My left foot clipped a boulder that dragged me into a flat ledge that I took at the waist at full speed. If I had not clipped that boulder I might have made it, I might have still impacted. It’s very hard to tell from the footage. Everything happens very fast. But when you go for a flight where inches are the difference between making it and not making it well impact is very possible. I knew this and took the risk and paid the price for pushing way to hard. I take full responsibility for my actions and am just happy I still have legs to do rehab on.
This is not my first time getting hurt and it will not be my last. I push it, always have and always will. One day I will die and I just hope that when I do, it will be doing something I truly love…
JebP.S. I want to thank everyone for their support. 99% of you have been very very nice to me 🙂 For the other 1% I agree with you 100%, I am a total dumb ass 🙂 I am human and humans make mistakes. I am sorry for what ever inconvenience I have caused anyone…
Jeb seems to be an extremely stand up guy. We think you’ve handled this whole situation with class, Jeb. Get better quick.
Jeb took his first steps in 5 weeks yesterday:
“I took my first steps today with crutches 🙂 It was awesome 🙂 It’s amazing how weak you get laying in bed for 5 weeks :)” – Jeb Corliss