Basejumper.com - archive

Hello BASE jumpers. As you likely know, Joy and I are out of our house for a few months due to a recent hurricane in Galveston, Texas. We are offline now, but the BASE book is safe and with Joy in our rent house in Galveston. We should be back online in a couple weeks and are keeping all messages so we can retain the correct order when we continue to issue the Official world BASE numbers. We have a temporary PO Box, 877, Hitchcock, Tx. 77563 if anyone wants to send snail mail, but we'll still wait to make sure the order is correct before we resume issuing the numbers.
Now the BAD news. I'm online in a hospital in Iowa, 1100 miles north of Galveston since my twin brother Randy, BASE 36, was seriously injured on a skydive last Saturday and is in a coma. His sabre 135 got caught in a sudden horrible down draft just before flair time. The flair did not slow the canopy down at all and he went from his left ankle, which broke directly to the right side of his head in a futile attempt to do a right PLF. He opens his eyes on command, but not much else. Not sure when or if he will snap out of it. Randy has been my main hero every since we were the first two to do Half Dome at night in June 1982. Sorry NPS, we're way past the Statute of Limitations now. Anyway, it was the scariest jump of my life and without Randy, I never would have done it back then given the state of the gear in 1982 and knowledge. Randy is an excellent canopy pilot with over 4000 jumps. We may try to take up a collection later since he can't work and his wife Shirley can't resume her teaching job until we know more. I'll put the word out later on how we can help them, but for now, please just keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Rick Harrison
BASE 38

Here's a photo of Rick and Randy from when we were in Italy. That is not me between them. This whole experience with Randy getting hurt has been horrible. I cannot imagine how tough the whole experience is on Rick. A twin getting hurt...

Wow, that jump looks awesome!!! That is honorable BASE history.

@Rick:
Wish your brother all the best!!! Hope everything will work fine for him.

Philipp

Blondie and I are praying for your brother Rick. Holler if you need anything at all. You have my number.

If you look closely you can see Rick And Randy's shadows on the wall, Together as always!

Thoughts and prayers brother,Thoughts and prayers.
~Jess

Thinking of you both and Randy too. . .

Let me know where to send some money!

Big hugs!!!

NickD

I hope everything works out OK for him...soon
Best wishes to you all.

Best Wishes amigo! For you and the whole family, Positive Vibrations.

Take care
AL

Vibes for Randy.

i'v been blessed with tons of work this year and hav a ltl extra so to speak and could send a ltl bit to help. post sum info on how i can help.

Same!

Wish you two the best!

So sad to hear... I wish you both the best!
*Big hugs from Norway*

Talked with Joy over the weekend.

Randy was in an induced coma, and when the docs reduced his sedation by 50%, he woke up and flashed a peace sign.

He has improved to the point that Joy said "One sentence sums it up: his wife and Iowa friends left the hospital and went out for dinner tonight."

So all trends are favorable at the moment.

robin

That's excellent news RH...Thanks for sharing!

BASE359

but things are not necessarily good, but just better than before.

Randy Harrison is the true Evel Knievel of BASE jumping. He is the most amazing adventurous man that I have met.

This is a message from Rick:

I got your message and Randy is finally showing signs of good recognition with his eyes and moving his right hand on command. He actually was able to make a peace sign and a thumbs up. His left hand and arm don't do much of anything on command. Both legs move, left best. Right moves and flexes but not really on command. I would appreciate it if you could post the message of Randy's condition and his and Shirley's address if anyone wants to help with a few bucks. Randy's insurance costs nearly $800. per month and he has to pay it even when he can't work. It could be months, if ever, that he can return to working as an electrician and as long as he is in this serious mental state, his wife can only try to work part time while the mortgage and living expenses continue. If anyone wishes to help, please send whatever you want to his wife at:
Shirley Harrison
1713 S Avenue
South Amana, Iowa 52334. The S Avenue is just that, it does not stand for south.

Here's a photo of Randy:

http://www.basejumper.com/.../Train_Jump_372.html

Randy Harrison exits a train over a 300 foot gorge at 50 mph holding a 52 inch Parainnovator in his right hand and a 8 foot round reserve in his left hand. (Photo by: Joy Harrison)

Circa: 1984.

I wish all the best to Randy.
My thoughts are with you two.
Take care
See you soon