ZEPHYRHILLS (FOX 13) - Two skydivers were injured after colliding in midair over Pasco County and a GoPro caught the collision of the skydivers on video.
Sebastian Leal, 23, was one of several skydivers who were jumping in wingsuits at SkyDive City in Zephyrhills March 22. After they jumped from the airplane, Leal collided with another jumper almost immediately. "I remember leaving the airplane, and then approximately 5 seconds later, we collided," Leal said.
The other jumper's chute deployed and he was also flown to the hospital after landing. He survived.
Video caught on Leal's GoPro shows the collision almost immediately, which dislodged the GoPro, followed by video of an out of control spiral for several minutes before the camera hits the ground.
Leal was knocked unconscious immediately, though his reserve chute deployed. "I hit some powerlines before I hit the ground," he said. "My next memory is lying on the ground in pain," said Leal.
He was flown to Tampa General Hospital and has four fractured vertebrae and is paralyzed from the waist down, but says he believes that's temporary and he says he has no regrets. "What happened to me is very unlikely. It's a freak accident," he said. "I am optimistic that one day I will fly wingsuit again."