June 06 2001

Honeymoon couple's 'miracle' escape

A recently married local couple had a lucky escape when their parachute failed to open and they plunged ten thousand feet during a tandem sky jump in France.
Kevin McIlwee of Channel Island Air Sports, an experienced sky diver, had his wife Beverley strapped to him when both their main and reserve chutes failed.
As they plummeted to earth with half a parachute Mr McIlwee told his wife 'we might not get away with this'.
But amazingly when landed on a farm track they both survived.
Mr McIlwee suffered a badly broken leg and his wife broke both feet.
Mrs McIlwee's father said his son in laws expertise and cool head had probably saved both their lives - he said it was a miracle
They're both in hospital in Brittany.