Freefall hero saves student

An heroic parachute instructor from RAF Cosford saved a student’s life when he lost control during a freefall at 12,000ft, it was revealed today.Sergeant Steve Davies suffered a broken arm during the daring rescue which happened as they were hurtling through the air at 165mph. He managed to use his other arm to open his reserve parachute and help his student to safety.

The rescue came despite sergeant Davies being in excruciating pain and losing consciousness.

The 35-year-old from Chirk has now been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air.

The drama unfolded when the pair were taking part in an air concentration exercise in America - part of the student’s high altitude parachuting training carrying full military equipment weighing up to 100lbs.

The student had completed more than 100 descents but this was his first with full equipment.

When he left the Hercules aircraft, the student went into a spin which began to accelerate.

Sergeant Davies realised that the student was confused and disorientated and so took hold of him to stop the spin.

The student then attempted to adjust his heavy equipment load which put him into a barrel roll and started another violent and uncontrollable spin.

An RAF spokesman said it could have caused the student to lose consciousness with potentially fatal consequences because of the speed of their descent.

He said sergeant Davies, fearing for his student’s safety, managed to stop him spinning out of control.

“Sergeant Davies’ prompt action allowed the student to regain a stable position and to operate his parachute safely. However, as he took hold of the student, sergeant Davies was struck by the trailing leg of the parachutist and he suffered a broken upper right arm,” he said.

“Realising that his arm was broken, sergeant Davies immediately operated his reserve parachute with his left hand.”

The award recognises sergeant Davies “display of exemplary airmanship, great skill and outstanding courage” during the incident in 2006.

Sergeant Davies, who was educated at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen, is married to Niki and they have two children, Emily, nine, and Katie, seven.