Parachutist stranded after being blown onto stadium roof

An air force parachutist carrying the match ball for a European Rugby Champions Cup match in Toulouse was left dangling 20 metres above the crowd for half an hour before being rescued.

A parachutist delivering the match ball hangs after his parachute line was caught on the roof of the stadium in Toulouse, France. Picture: Getty Images.

The start of a European Rugby Champions Cup match in Toulouse was delayed after an air force parachutist carrying the match ball got tangled up on the stadium roof.

The parachutist dangles above the crowd after he was blown onto the stadium roof. Picture: Getty Images,

Five minutes before the kick-off in the last 16 match, which was scheduled for 2pm (GMT), a gust of wind knocked the parachutist off course, sending him towards the roof where his parachute caught on the stadium’s structure.

Parachutist crashes into Toulouse stadium roof. pic.twitter.com/lvEQt9vpPk

— Simon Borchardt (@SimonBorchardt) April 6, 2025

He was left hanging from the roof of the stadium, some 20 metres above the ground for around 30 minutes, while supporters in the section beneath him were cleared out and stadium attendants and first-aid workers laid out crash mats and a tarpaulin beneath him.

Carnage in Toulouse, a parachutist got caught on the stadium roof, kick off delayed, fire engines arrived to rescue him and he’s waving to the crowd getting them pumped for the game, only in France!

https://t.co/i1AKrXWVqx

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) April 6, 2025

Numerous videos posted on X showed two firemen finally reaching the stricken parachutist via a long ladder extended from their fire truck.

He appeared unharmed and helped them to untangle the chute as the crowd began cheering when they saw he was safe.

Fans cleared from underneath the parachutist. And that’s the Toulouse mascot helping to deliver some post protectors. https://t.co/U49oEAHlFKpic.twitter.com/jZ7gKBrBoC

— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) April 6, 2025

After the firemen finally yanked the last bit of the parachute from the roof they were treated to a huge ovation, and they, in turn, got the crowd going to milk the applause.

Toulouse's match against English team Sale then got underway following a delay of 40 minutes.

Defending champions Toulouse are vying to win the tournament for a seventh time while English team Sale have only reached the quarter-finals once before