Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410180086
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
``Conditions are beautiful, no wind, bright, sunny and warm,'' Andy Calistrat said Saturday as hundreds of parachutists jumped 876 feet off the nation's second-highest bridge.
The thrill-seekers gathered for the 15th annual Bridge Day, the only day pedestrians and jumpers are allowed on the New River Gorge Bridge, a 1,700-foot steel span about 40 miles southeast of Charleston.
Most of the jumpers belong to BASE, which stands for the objects they jump from: Buildings, Antennas, Spans and Earth Forms. Calistrat, the group's president, said about 420 members were registered to jump Saturday.
``It's my annual adrenaline rush,'' said Jim Davis, 59, of Jersey City, N.J., who jumped for the fourth straight year.
Mike Flynn of Gainesville, Fla., puffed a cigarette as a medic bandaged the left shin he bruised when he landed on the rocky shore of the sparkling New River.
``This was my first time and will probably be my last,'' Flynn said.
Like most jumpers, Flynn did a free fall for three seconds before opening his chute and landing. He said the experience was exhilarating. But when he saw the rocks approaching, he thought, ``I'm in for some trouble.''
The drop to the river would take about eight seconds if a parachute failed to open. Three jumpers have died on Bridge Day, the last in 1987. Broken bones are common; at least seven jumpers suffered fractures Saturday, organizers said.
Bridge Day was designed for parachute jumpers and began three years after the bridge opened in 1977. Bungee jumpers, who got in the parachutists' way last year, have been banned.
The massive gorge surrounding the river was covered in red, orange and yellow leaves at the peak of foliage season. Vendors lined the roads near the bridge, selling food, trinkets and T-shirts.
``It excites people,'' said vendor Chris Bates. ``People like to look at them.''
The highest U.S. bridge is the Royal Gorge Bridge near Canon City, Colo., at 1,053 feet.
by CNB