Man Skydives ... Without a Parachute

Stuntman Gary Connery uses 'wingsuit' in first-of-its-kind stunt
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 23, 2012 12:48 PM CDT

Hollywood stuntman Gary Connery did something no one else had ever attempted today, diving out of a helicopter from 2,400 feet—without a parachute. Instead, the 42-year-old was relying on a "wingsuit" to slow him down and a stack of 18,600 cardboard boxes to break his fall, the BBC reports. The entire stunt took less than a minute, with Connery hitting a top speed of around 80mph.

Connery says he was in straight free-fall for about three seconds before his suit "started to fly." He says he was "100% confident" he would pull the trick off. "I feel incredible, just completely elated," he said afterward. "Tonight will be all about celebrating … tomorrow I will be plotting my next daring challenge!" Connery has done stunt work on films such as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Die Another Day, and Batman Begins. (More Gary Connery stories.)

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