Overview

• Police say a tandem jump from about 11,000 feet on September 17 over the Nevada desert suffered a parachute malfunction that sent the pair into a spin before limited deployment occurred moments before impact at an estimated 35–45 mph.
• The student, Mitchell Deakin, 24, and instructor Jiron Arcos Ponce, 54, survived with critical injuries and were airlifted by Mercy Air to the University Medical Center trauma unit in Las Vegas.
• Deakin underwent pelvic surgery with metal plates and treatment for broken ribs, a perforated lung, and a kidney injury, then progressed to chest drain removal and assisted walking with a frame as family reported steady improvement.
• Family updates note Deakin celebrated his 25th birthday in hospital, while Ponce remains reported in critical condition.
• The FAA is investigating the incident, with police linking the aircraft to GoJump Las Vegas, which denies involvement, as Sin City Skydiving confirmed employing Ponce, and a GoFundMe for Deakin has raised about £16,000.