Rob was knocked unconscious in mid-air when completing the last jump of a high-altitude military training exercise. He remembers giving the 'thumbs up' after opening his parachute before waking up in hospital with a broken neck
A former RAF parachute instructor left paralysed from the shoulders down after colliding with another jumper at 900ft is set to complete his fifth half marathon for charity. Rob Bugden, 38, was knocked unconscious in mid-air when completing the last jump of a high-altitude military training exercise.
Rob, from Cowbridge in South Wales, joined the RAF in 2008 and became a parachute instructor in the hope of overcoming his fear of heights and training the best of the British armed forces. He was deployed to Blythe, southern California, a few months after qualifying as an instructor in 2015 to complete his high-altitude parachuting course, which saw him jumping from military planes at 25,000ft, day and night.
"I didn’t know why I was there. Then slowly but surely I came to the realisation that I could not move." A few months later, Rob was sedated and flown to the UK on a military plane forced to fly at around 3,000ft as it was feared the pressure would compress his spine. He would be in and out of hospital for the next four years.The accident has not stopped Rob from fighting to regain his independence and having a sense of humour. He jokes that his greatest achievement is being able to feed himself and 'down a bottle of beer in six seconds' with no hands.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kai Havertz stuns Rob Holding in touch challenge with mammoth scoreKai Havertz inspired Arsenal to victory over the MLS All-Stars in the touch challenge having racked up a massive 86 points. The versatile German left teammate Rob Holding stunned by his touch and v…
Read more »
Future of HUGE BBC gameshow revealed after 16 seriesROB Brydon has confirmed the future of his hit BBC gameshow Would I Lie To You after sixteen series. Amid a swathe of schedule shake-ups, the long-running quiz goliath has been on air since 2007. B…
Read more »
Tributes pour in for Ronan Keating's brother following tragic deathCiaran Keating tragically lost his life in a two-car collision at the weekend
Read more »
Daventry transgender runner calls for separate categoryGlenique Frank calls for change after being criticised for entering the London Marathon as a female.
Read more »
Amateur Albrighton runner crosses the finishing line on his 400th marathonAn amateur Albrighton runner has crossed the finishing line on his 400th marathon.
Read more »
Fire crew scrambled to three vehicle crash near ShrewsburyTwo cars and a van were involved in a road collision near Shrewsbury.
Read more »