Gladstone man faced 50-foot plummet skydiving in Gladstone

“Being fit and being positive helped me heal even when they were telling me I may not walk again.”

Aodhan McCann was skydiving in the Gladstone region when he faced a near-death experience.Â

A Gladstone man has recounted the terrifying moment he faced a 50-foot plummet after his parachute collapsed during a skydive nine years ago.

With more than 150 jumps under his belt, Aodhan McCann was someone who wasn’t afraid to push the limits. But on December 14 2012, his carefree attitude was tested.

Mr McCann was skydiving in the Gladstone region when he faced a near-death experience.

“I had been skydiving and on my approach to land I had clipped one of my parachute canopy lines on the branch of a tree,” Mr McCann said.

“The canopy collapsed and slung me into the ground. I hit hard and broke both ankles, my pelvis, my L4 L5 (spine), some ribs and lacerated my pancreas.”

Mr McCann’s memories of the day are vague, but one thing he did not forget was the service that saved his life.

MiePlace Nightclub owner Aodhan McCann

“The (RACQ CapRescue) staff were amazing at keeping me calm. I don’t remember too much … but when I woke up, I remember looking at one medic then over to the other and they said it’s going to be OK and told me we were nearly there.”

The road to recovery was a long journey for Mr McCann, but he maintained a positive outlook.

“Being fit and being positive helped me heal even when they were telling me I may not walk again, or they might have to amputate my right foot,” he said.

“Some close friends travelled in each Tuesday to visit and towards the end would bring me steaks for dinner.

“Once out of hospital and my body could handle it, the boys used to pick me up in the wheelchair and take me to the pub which helped me stay sane.”

Mr McCann, who owns MiePlace Niteclub, said his terrifying ordeal had changed the way he went about daily life.

“I am still very hands on with everything from daily operations to renovations. I also know my body a lot better now so know when I need to slow down or what I can and can’t do.”

Mr McCann said RACQ CapRescue was always at the top of his mind and he always donated to their cause.

“Any donation box I always put all my change in and at the nightclub we have had two major fundraisers in support. I definitely understand the importance of this service.”