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Regional press news - this story published 23 August 2005

Reporter reaches new heights in bid for a scoop

by Gareth Palmer, Colchester Evening Gazette

Intrepid Colchester Evening Gazette reporter Gareth Palmer went to new heights to follow the town mayor's latest stunt. He joined Terry Sutton in a charity parachute jump from 13,000ft through the sky above the Duke of Gloucester Barracks, near Cirencester. Here he describes the experience...

However much you consider the safety statistics and trust the professionalism of the instructor who controls the tandem jump, it would be a cold-blooded individual who wilfully leapt out of an aeroplane without a single moment of doubt.

I slept soundly the night before and had no nerves as we were briefed on the ground, but I will confess to two moments of fear as the plane took us up to the dizzying height of 13,000ft we jumped from.

Firstly, as Billy Blanchard, my instructor, explained the procedures and the equipment he carried.

At a mere 1,000ft he showed me the altimeter on his wrist. I looked out of the windows at the patchwork of fields below and thought 'We have to go up another 12,000ft before jumping' and a chill went up my spine.

Secondly, at the moment the door of the plane opened, the wind tore through the cabin and we were asked to shuffle towards the door. Another wave of fear - and regret at having a substantial breakfast - passed over me.

I was second in line to leave the plane, behind Terry, and as he leapt out I realised that there was no excuse not to jump.

With barely the time for another thought, we were at the door. I had my eyes tightly screwed shut, Billy tapped me on the shoulder and we were off.

From that moment I can honestly say that I loved every second of the jump.

Gareth and Terry after the jump

For 45 seconds we fell through the air, losing 8,000ft of altitude. Nothing can describe the feeling.

Despite the buffetting wind, I had no sensation that I was plunging uncontrollably to the ground at 120mph. I screamed and hollered, not with the foul language and fear that I expected, but pure exhilaration.

Then, with a jolt, Billy opened the parachute. The roaring of the wind stopped and we shot upwards as the drag of the canopy slowed us down, and we serenely glided down.

For five minutes we soared quietly over the Gloucestershire countryside, at times taking huge sweeping turns as Billy guided us back to the airfield. As we came down, I took in the view as what had been dots became first buildings, then cars and people.

Finally, we gently touched down, just yards away from the target.

Terry made an equally soft landing just after me, and we both wore fixed grins for the rest of the day.

For me, the enormity of what I had just done only struck when we were watched the next batch of jumpers. Andrea Routledge, from Essex Chamber of Commerce, did the jump with us, but went out of the second plane of the day.

We watched as her group left the plane and plummeted towards the ground. It was more terrifying to watch than to do, and seemed like an eternity before their parachutes opened, to a collective gasp of relief.

Andrea, who jumped to conquer her fear of heights, drifted down to ground and landed with the same look of elation as everyone else.

To anyone thinking about doing a parachute jump, I think the three would all say in unison: "Do it!"

Gareth, Terry and Andrea expect to raise £3,000 from the tandem jump, which will go towards the mayor's charity fund. The mayor's charities are The Army Benevolent Fund, Christian Youth Outreach, Cancer Research UK, Essex Wildlife Trust, Colchester United Community Sports Trust, The 5th Colchester Scouts and The Scout Band.

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