Joan Murray (skydiver)

Joan Murray (born 1952) is a bank executive and skydiver who survived falling from a height of 14,500 feet (4400 meters).

Biography

Joan Murray lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and worked for Bank of America. She occasionally skydived before her accident.

Skydiving accident

On September 25 1999, Murray went on a skydive, jumping at 4400 meters. Her main parachute could not open, and although her backup parachute opened at 200 meters, it quickly deflated. She approached the ground at 130 kilometers per hour, landing on a mound of fire ants. Doctors believe that the shock of being stung over 200 times by the ants released a surge of adrenaline which kept her heart beating.

Murray suffered serious injuries, shattering the right side of her body and knocking fillings out of her teeth. She went into a coma for two weeks at Carolinas Medical Center; however, after 20 reconstructive surgeries and 17 blood transfusions, she survived.

Life afterwards

Murray continued work at Bank of America after the accident, turning down retirement because of disability. She took physical therapy sessions, and went on a 37th skydive with her two daughters in 2001.

Personal life

Murray has two daughters, Arriane and Carmen.