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There was another fatality in LB yesterday from the same exit as the last fatality of the 28.11.09 (Mighty Penis or Via Ferrata).
Details will follow.

This has been an awful year... Condolences to the deceased's family and friends and fly free brother, we will meet again, where ever you are!

http://www.jungfrauzeitung.ch/artikel/99988/

Please everyone try to be extra safe, where ever you jump. We do not need a single one of these threads anymore. Life is precious, play safe!

The family of the jumper has been informed.
The jumper is Darren Bull from the UK.

Below the offical police report:



Translation (with my limited english...)

Base Jumper falls

A Base Jumper falls on late Monday afternoon in Lauterbrunnenn and was deadly injured.

A 37 year old British man wanted to jump on Monday the 21st of Dezember 2009, shortly before 17:00 o'clock, with 5 other jumpers in a Wingsuit from Mighty P (in Lauterbrunnen). He slipped on the fix mounted exit platfom when he tried to push off and fell over the platform. He pulled and the canopy opened facing the wall. The Base jumper hit the wall and the helicopter crew could only air lift his dead body from the base of the wall.

I'm sure one of the eye witness will post more acurate details sometimes later on.

I'm very sorry for friends and family of Darren :-(
This has been a horrible year for Base jumping

I enjoyed the time we spent in the Valley earlier in the summer, and will always remember the time you took me and two other novice jumpers to my first B. I was keen to complete BASE, but we decided not to jump. It was the first time I'd climbed down from an object, and it was a lesson in patience and caution I'm very glad you taught me.

Deepest condolences to Darren's family, close friends, and girlfriend.

Geo.

Was this Zoter?

I always have horrible visions of slipping at the exit.

Condolences to family and friends.

poc

Yes it was Zoter

Fly Free Bro...

Paul :(

:(

RIP Darren.

Meet him a couple of year ago at a WS boogie on my local dropzone and a couple of times in the Valley.



Same here, walked back before because of a slippy exit.

Darren was a solid dude with a big heart. He was an adventurer to the core and an artist behind the lens.
I will miss him
Peace brother.........

This isn't the first fatality to occur because of a slippery wooden ramp at the exit point (see #59).

The kind of non-slip material used for staircases needs to be secured to the "temporary" platform placed at the exit point for the BASE race. Or just have the platform removed.

come on, don't blame the ramp.
you inspect the exit point and either deem it jumpable, or not.
if not - walk down or put it in a state that you think is jumpable.

Such aids make little difference in icy conditions, which is what I expect for this time of year in the valley. I would expect Darren to have been taking all appropriate and reasonable precautions; that was his nature.

From what I've been told, this incident just sounds like one of those things... fly free bro.

Darren was a great friend. He first got me into scouting buildings etc only a short year ago and the jumps I GC'd on were amazing and experiences I will never forget.

Fly free my friend. You'll be missed.

Oh, absolutely. We're all responsible for the risk we take on. But I also think we have a moral (though not a legal) duty to look out for each other, and to learn from history.

condolences to all.
it is an ugly loss.

I wish it weren't so...

2weeks ago it was already full of snow all around the valley, cold and slippery...
the yellow ocean and la mousse side of the valley is under the shadow until almost mid day, for info.

even the approach can be tricky, I cleaned the exit point before jumping.
so think twice if you never had jumped in the snow.
play safe

if you are making something that lots of people gonna use after you,then make it properly for all conditions or cfuking remove it!!!
rip

Yes, and make sure you buy crampons before you come here. There is a shop in Lauterbrunnen that sells crampons that fit on one's heel, but they are - quite frankly - useless. I know two people who bought them and in both cases they bent and came loose on the first hike. In contrast, I'm very happy with the ones I have. I've no idea what brand they are, but they look something like those in the attached photograph, and they're no problem to wear with a wingsuit.

I've no idea whether Darren was wearing crampons, or whether it would have been appropriate or made any difference. But certainly on the hikes to the exit points, they could easily save your life.

Take care everyone, life is precious.

 
Gutted.

Darren was one of the really good guys ...

Fly Free Brother ...

He was wearing crampons.

For the record, Darren was wearing crampons and what I heard from the people present on the jump they were more or less like the ones in the link you posted.

Using crampons (like all other choice of equipment in this sport) is a personal choice, use what you feel like is necessary to make you feel as comfortable as possible. I have several trips to LB in the winter time and have never used crampons there, I've never felt the need for them and to be honest I feel that (for me) they are more of a extra hassle than a benefit. Of course as being from Finland we are more or less used to walking in deep snow and slippery, icy streets in the winter. But like I said, personal choice. Others choices may be different.

and you are? familiar with the ramp? the valley? weather conditions in the valley in the wintertime? ever seen snow? icy conditions is icy conditions. no matter what you are standing on, it's gonna be slippery.

BS. The ramp was built in october. (no snow at that time)

Following that line of reasoning, we can take away all pavements in the cities, they get slippery too in winter in Northern Europe. I guess we all know a ramp with snow is slippery. Something slippery can lead to an uncontrolled fall. You learn that as a kid in the streets. I am pretty sure Darren knew that. As we all know that jumping of something might lead to injury or worse.

BTW, with crampons, you won't slip, but then you can get stuck.

For what it is worth, more people died as a result of the jump, then because of how they exited.

Condolences to family, friends and the UK base community.

Ronald

To whoever was nit picky details from their arm chair
saying he should have done this or that well if you
were NOT there and did NOT know Darren Bull,
aka Zoter then please just keep quiet!!

Darren was fun, out going, generous, skilled, and very
much a thinking man! He will be missed by his mates.

I first met him in October of 2004 at Perris Valley DZ.
Him and his girlfriend let me stay in their room so I
worked with him on his sitfly.

Later when him and a buddy visited Zhills and I drove
down to share some fun skydives and cold beers with
a couple of great guys.

Eventually we both got into BASE and when I quit he
told me it was a smart choice. This is a sad day

WOW massive
Darren taught me how to pack 4 weeks ago!
RIP

i dont know what is icy conditions, but now i know for sure, if one day i m gonna jump from mp in winter season i will use crampons!

As Mr Prick says, with or without ramp, it is going to be slippery.
I think the ramp is not the issue of the accident. Any exit in those conditions is a hazel, ramp or solid ground. Even if you are wearing crampons you need to be very careful with the push because if you jump forward in a Wingsuit, last thing touching the exit will likely be the booty of the Wingsuit. Enclosed a video grab of the exit of MP from this Saturday to show what Mr Prick means when he says icy conditions...

I'll extend to his family a courtesy and consideration he NEVER did towards me and mine, when he publicly gloated on the UK base board after hearing of my misfortune when I had a bad accident last year. If i recall he said the news of my injuries "tickled him".

I extend my sympathies to his family at what must be a difficult time for them.

BSBD.

I wish the BASE Fatality List was actually being updated too.

Thoughts to his family....... Christmas wont be the same for them now.....

Also, thoughts to his friends.....Sorry for your loss....

completely stunned as he was such a safety consious guy who did a lot of research into what he did.

my sympathies to his friends and Family.

Wow, that's both very beautiful and very scary. Clearly in those conditions (ramp or no ramp), someone could easily slip. Thanks for posting that, Mikki. I think I'll stay away from the Valley until spring.

The number of fatalities is greater than 2007, when 14 were gone.

What a sad year this has been

Has any one ever played with these?

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Kahtoola-MICROspikes-Traction-System/KHT0012M.html

I happened to see a picture of them recently but I've never had a chance to finger fuck them. I've got a lot of time with "real" crampons but I've never found a good half way compermise between them and a necked boot. Some thing that would have traction under both the heal and ball of the foot, be flexable enough to wear on an ordinary shoe and not be a nightmare walking over rock in.

What was the toe of his suit made from? My old classic had the slippery stuff and was a nightmare. I think it argues strongly for something wth ball of the foot traction not just under the arch. What do you favor?

Lee

Thanks for posting that photo - wow.

Does anyone have a photo on top of the exit?

I've only jumped it before there was a ramp. I didn't even know a ramp was built on it.

thanks.

Condolences.

This is a vid grab of the ramp, also from this saturday.

RIP Bro...
Fly free...
My deepest condolences to his family and friends!

It was tied, it's now 1 more than '07. Looking at the ramp, has anyone considered taking a small bag of salt/grit to an exit? Does that count as leaving something behind even if it will dissolve?

Condolences to family & friends.

if you can leave the ramp behind you, then you can, definetly, leave the salt on it !

The Mighty Pen is showing it's versatile ways of killing our bros.
It does not seem to forgive any mishap.

I never knew Darren, but from stories heard he seemed like a great guy.

Condolences to his family and friends. I wish you strength to carry on.

/Antti

I wish it wasn't!

If you know what I mean!

?????

Yes and no.

You are going down the path of indutrial and societal safety standards, where the highest level of risk management is total elimination of the hazard.

In laymans terms, that would mean something like stopping the jumping totally.

Good thing? Bad thing?

p.s. what is that white stuff???

This is a tongue in cheek comment from an Aussie - you know, the place with no mountains and very little snow. Some people have made the point in this thread that movement knowledge and experience over different surfaces is important. And in this case has shown to be critical.

The learning is that you should NEVER underestimate anythingo on a BASE jump. Geting there, doing, getting away, etc.

Stay Safe
Have Fun
Good Luck

Condolences to family and friends.

And here is to a better 2010.

This is up to YOU! And YOU! And YOU! And ME! And ALL OF US TOGETHER AND INDIVIDUALLY!

Oh No, Im just finding out about this. This is a terrible loss.

My Best to Darren's family, My best to the London Crew. So Sorry Boy's.

whatever the circumstances a needless loss.condolences to all.

 
Darren was a solid jumper from the start and did some truly impressive jumps including the worlds tallest B.

Fly free Darren

My deepest condolences to all who knew him, espacially his family.
I hiked with him to the eiger all the way up on my first one off the mushroom.

You made the hike easier for me, thanks mate. Fly free

Words can't say how sad this is ...

Yesterday we did a farewell jump in the same group at the same time as we jumped with Darren the day before. It was a calm and smooth vibe and everyone was respectful towards his spirit which still was present.

24h before I was the one standing behind him. We had been the last two of the load and I was the last in the row climbing down the Via Ferrata cable.
Darren was standing at the front edge of the ramp concentrating.
We didn't spoke any word as everybody was focused on the upcoming jump.
He was standing totally solid and I observed the usual little moves everyone does before he's ready.
Some deep breathing, looking down, looking up, checking the grips on the wings of the suit.
Then he started to bend his knees and I knew he is going to launch now. It looked totally normal as his body was leaning more and more forward till the point of no return ...
He was almost done with it when suddenly, just with the last push, his left food lost grip on the icy floor of the ramp and slipped backwards away.
He immediately banked on his left side while turning instantly head wards.
I saw him disappearing over the edge in some kind of total straight body position but in a rolling momentum over his very low left shoulder. I'm sure he couldn't prevent an over rotating.
I said "oh shit" in reflex and stepped quickly to the front of the ramp looking down but he was already gone into the overhung section.
Seconds later I heard the inflating canopy but couldn’t see it. Then there was a big "bang" and I knew that this had been a cliff strike.
I was waiting and hoping that he will be stuck somehow on the top slope cause there will be a good chance to survive this. But he came back into my sight and I saw him slipping down the rest of the wall.
He came to still at the bottom but there was no life signs anymore.

So yes, he was wearing crampons. He had a solid stand on the ramp but when he got into his launch he shifted his weight more and more forward. At the last bit he was so far forward that he only had contact to the ground with his toes at the bootie bottom of his wingsuit. This was the moment when he slipped.
So it was the character of the bootie material combined with his strong push in context to the slippery conditions.

It was a shock at first cause he didn't anything wrong. He was just simply slipping ...
The consequences out of this little cause are as hard as they can get. At that point I only can recommend big ice climbing crampons if you want to jump this exit in icy conditions.

I didn't know him well, except that it was me who inspired him 8 years ago in Seville as I jumped there from a paraplane with BASE gear.
We had a nice talk after by some beers and I gave him useful directions how he could get into.
On the walk to the jump we spoke about that day in Seville and he was happy how everything came out up to today ...

It's a tragedy at that point as Darren was skilled enough for this jump and he just intended to have fun. But it came terribly different at a point where he even was unable to take influence …

I’m sad these days but I’m in peace with him since I was flying side by side with his spirit on our last jump for him.

M.

Condolences to family & friends.

thanks for your post and giving clear first hand report of the incident. I hope he and you are both at peace. Condolences to the family and friends.

Thank you for your detailed report. I'm sorry you had to witness something so dreadful.

sucks. But It can happen to any of us. I've had the same thing happen in a jump in Moab when my left foot slipped on some small loose rocks as i was pushing off. I got lucky.


Just used them 3 days ago for the first time and THEY FREAKIN ROCK! I think that they are far better suited for the BASE environment than traditional bulky crampons AND they fit nicely in your pocket when you are not using them.
Also, the elastic that attaches it to your shoe could probably (haven't tried it yet) go over the top of a wingsuit booty. It sounds like the soft material on the booty is part of what contributed to this accident.


BSBD

http://www.petzl.com/...-speciaux/spiky-plus

Never tried them but they might be worth a look.

Hey Neil,

there are much better "crampons" out there. This one would be to much "Mickey Mouse Style" for what would be needed in deep icy conditions at the Via Ferrata.

I made a picture where we used a big ice pick to clear the cable just 30 minutes before we actualy were able to get access to the exit (which is left of the tree behind the working guy).

The picture is worsed quality ever as it was made with an old phone. But I hope everyone can see what to expect there in wintertime.

So someone needs to choose wisely in the future what extra equipment he may should bring in winter additionally to his skills.

M.

What horrible news to read..

Ive made many fun skydives with Darren, and got to accompany him on his first wingsuit flights.
Though he wasnt one of those 'naturals' in everything he did, he more than compensated for that by being very methodical about practice. And training and trying untill he succeeded.

And in general, one of the nicest guys to be around and have fun with. Though sometimes quite strong in letting his oppinion or view on people be heard.
The work he did with his skydiving (and later base) videos, shows only a hint of the person he was.

thanks for the picture!
your message is clear for me, if I dont have experience in icy conditions and I'm not in the presence of winter mountain guide,I'll avoid that area for sure!

 
Nice pic. I'm now thinking my Grade 8's would be a nice choice. I feel silly haveing even asked about those little chain things.

Lee

Man that sucks! I hate to hear this.

I was introduced to Darren through a mutual friend a few years back. We did a "B" together. Darren was a very likeable chap.

Condolences to family & friends

John

Thanks for posting the account Mahle...

I jumped with Darren only once when I PCA'd him from a 200 ft A and proceeded to make my first S/L jump which he had very carefully taken the time to show me how to set up properly...

Utterly solid BASE jumper from my perspective and wonderfully creative at making short videos that conveyed the emotion of the event.... if you haven't seen his youtube stuff it's well worth a look...superflyinsquirrel1...

My sincere condolences to his Family... a loss is always far more stressful the more emotionally attached one is to someone.

BASE1268

Im really sorry that we lost you Darren !

And about ramp -stop blame that -I was there -and that exit point is slippery without ramp and even in summer its sometimes very slippery and muddy...

About crambons: I have never used those here in LB and I have lot of winter jumps here -I dont like those, coz those can also giv a false security feelings to you and you can not walk "normal" way if you have someting under you shoes... but that is just my personal choice...

I met Darren when He came to Brento after FJC, and meet and jump with Him many times sence... and I allways count Him as a good friend of mine... And He was really sorry coz He missed my birthday coz canceled flights... and when He finally came He was really happy here and He told me that He gotta new cam and we were planing some jumps with that new cam... f..k that was really horrible accident to watch from landing area... and Im so sorry about that we lost Him...

And He was not a reckless and He did everything right I believe, coz He did emergency pull after 3-4 sec after that unstable exit coz slip...

I will miss you Darren !!!

-Tony Vilko- (one of the f...ing Finns)

Cant believe he is gone...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0rJVfOcnbM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyuywrn0s-Q

what a great video he made fly like a beagle,he had an art there for sure..

RIP

Try EIE volumes 1 and 2... Magical UE and BASE... stills and video moulded together and superb sync to some great music... I aspire to be HALF as good and I'll be very happy...

Darren also made a lot of videos that never made it online (or dissapeared due to sdm.com being gone).

In time, people close to him will hopefully see/try and get some of his photo/video stuff online...
His photo and video work shows his passion..

Most of his urban explore photos are in reports on 28dl but most will be hidden from public view. No doubt the Albums will be hidden on bucket or flikr Think some of his early base and skydivie videos where hosted on love2skydive but think that board is closed last time i jumped with him was last year in Langer strangely enough about this time.

I think all his 40-odd urban exploration reports on there are now visible publicly.

link?

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/

RIP Darren, you were an inspiration to so many people in so many ways.

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/...n.&starteronly=1

Do the image verification and press enter or click on 'Search Now'. It usually takes me several attempts to guess the letters in the image correctly!

I think UE offered him something to do on nights when the weather was unsuitable for jumping, which in the British climate, was all too frequent!

Sorry to see you having to post another loss.
Especially this one as I knew Darren from back in the day when he was starting skydiving.And Base was a dream ahead of us.

A Strong character to say the least. Shame on me for falling out of touch.
My thoughts are with his loved ones.

From http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/...-detail/article.html

 

R.I.P Darren......love your work!



reiner

I am curious how many people have jumped using traditional crampons and if they've had any bad experiences? Mountaineering is rife with injuries due to improper self arrests,etc. I recently made a high alpine jump that required them for access, but decided to forego jumping with them for fear of injury on landing,( landing was @ 12,500'). I had looked at the Kahtoolas and definitely feel they are the way to go, but couldn't justify the expense for just this one jump.
Once again we have the opportunity to benefit from another's tragic experience.
Condolences, B.