Stuntman dies at Selfridge show.

**Rochelle St.** · August-21-11, 04:56 PM

A stuntman attempting a plane to helicopter transfer fell to his death.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44220782...ws-detroit_mi/
I was at the show yesterday.

**fzappa2000** · August-21-11, 05:07 PM

Listening to the news right now and there was another airshow death in Kansas City and New Jersey as wel. It is sad for the families and friends, but let's be real here. When we do risky things, there is a high probability of things going wrong leading to tragedies like these...

**animatedmartian** · August-21-11, 05:29 PM

Yea, being a stuntman, it happens. It's sad when it does... but at least he died doing something he enjoyed doing.

**Django** · August-21-11, 05:45 PM

Word animated. Im sure hes got a smile on his face where ever he is.

**Meddle** · August-21-11, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Django

Im sure hes got a smile on his face where ever he is.

It's probably imprinted on the ground out there.

**Russix** · August-21-11, 07:12 PM

The lowest base jumping record is 102 feet. No parachute?

**Django** · August-21-11, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

It's probably imprinted on the ground out there.

Now that is funny. Im sure stuntman would get a kick out of it too.

**Maof** · August-21-11, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

It's probably imprinted on the ground out there.

i really don't think that was an appropriate thing to say. his kids and other family members were there to witness it.

**Detroitej72** · August-21-11, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by Maof

i really don't think that was an appropriate thing to say. his kids and other family members were there to witness it.

More than likely they would appreciate this, as they were well aware of his profession and the risks involved. The family more than likely had come to terms with this scenario a long time before it happened.

RIP to the stuntman, condolences to his family.

**Maof** · August-21-11, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitej72

More than likely they would appreciate this, as they were well aware of his profession and the risks involved. The family more than likely had come to terms with this scenario a long time before it happened.

RIP to the stuntman, condolences to his family.

well, i could see that he died loving what he did but his "imprint on the ground"?

Dr. Emil · August-21-11, 10:28 PM

There was probably a perfectly good seat on that plane.

**sirrealone** · August-22-11, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitej72

More than likely they would appreciate this, as they were well aware of his profession and the risks involved. The family more than likely had come to terms with this scenario a long time before it happened.

RIP to the stuntman, condolences to his family.

They would APPRECIATE that comment? You mean the absolutely insensitive and thoughtless joke made at the expense of a man who lost his life.

Somehow I doubt that.

His family definitely realized the risks. But, I'm sure they still loved him and looked forward to having him around and wanted him to live past the risks he took every day.

You think that because he died doing something risky that his family, his children just shrugged their shoulders and said 'ah, well, we saw that coming'? Seriously? No, they're mourning just like anybody else mourns that loses a family member. Even if his family members had pictured a scenario like this happening, what they saw yesterday had to be a million times worse than anything they had ever imagined.

Unreal.

**MSUguy** · August-23-11, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

It's probably imprinted on the ground out there.

I agree with others this comment isn't right. Now thanks you I'm going to hell for laughing at that

**Downriviera** · August-21-11, 06:10 PM

Tragic, but what an amazing daredevil. How do you even practice for a stunt like that. He's for sure smiling, he lived life to the fullest.

**rjk** · August-21-11, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Rochelle St.

A stuntman attempting a plane to helicopter transfer fell to his death.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44220782...ws-detroit_mi/
I was at the show yesterday.

I've never been to one of these air shows, how far away are the spectators from this guy hitting the ground?
Was he that close to the ground that some sort of parachute wouldn't have helped?

**Magnatomicflux** · August-21-11, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by rjk

I've never been to one of these air shows, how far away are the spectators from this guy hitting the ground?
Was he that close to the ground that some sort of parachute wouldn't have helped?

I think he fell 200ft. I would wonder if he even wore a chute. I doubt it.

Russix, that base jumper probably had the rip cord in their hand and yanked it the second their feet left. And totally expecting it, I might add.

This guy is focused on jumping from one craft to another. When you miss, there's that second of "You gotta be kidding me?!?!?!" Then getting you bearings enough to pull that cord.
Then its too late to do anything about it.

**Russix** · August-22-11, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Magnatomicflux

I think he fell 200ft. I would wonder if he even wore a chute. I doubt it.

Russix, that base jumper probably had the rip cord in their hand and yanked it the second their feet left. And totally expecting it, I might add.

This guy is focused on jumping from one craft to another. When you miss, there's that second of "You gotta be kidding me?!?!?!" Then getting you bearings enough to pull that cord.
Then its too late to do anything about it.

The way I've seen it is that base jumpers are holding a mini-parachute in their hand as they jump that immediately deploys the main chute. A reserve parachute requires 400 feet to open and a main one even more. Plus the video shows him toppling violently off the plane so hopefully he was unconscious when he hit the ground.

**stinkytofu** · August-22-11, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Russix

The way I've seen it is that base jumpers are holding a mini-parachute in their hand as they jump that immediately deploys the main chute. A reserve parachute requires 400 feet to open and a main one even more. Plus the video shows him toppling violently off the plane so hopefully he was unconscious when he hit the ground.

I doubt he was unconscious, but I also don't really think he was aware of what was going on.

I did the highest bungy in the world [[at least at the time it was) in South Africa a few years back and during the six/seven second free fall you literally are just out of it. No idea what's going on, how close you are to the ground...nothing. He knew he was screwed, but your head is a complete clutter during a free fall like that.

**canuck** · August-21-11, 08:23 PM

One brave sonumbidge. R.I.P.

**Pam** · August-23-11, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by canuck

One brave sonumbidge. R.I.P.

No, running into a burning building to save someone is brave. Risking your life to entertain an audience is just dumb.

**Maof** · August-23-11, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Pam

No, running into a burning building to save someone is brave. Risking your life to entertain an audience is just dumb.

well, we know what he meant.

**Maof** · August-22-11, 12:13 PM

just got the macomb daily out of the mailbox and was hit with a photo of this guy falling to his death. i find this to be just terrible. freedom of press is one thing but respect for his family and friends is another. totally wrong in my opinion.

**Detroitnerd** · August-22-11, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Maof

just got the macomb daily out of the mailbox and was hit with a photo of this guy falling to his death. i find this to be just terrible. freedom of press is one thing but respect for his family and friends is another. totally wrong in my opinion.

I think that's the same reasoning they wouldn't show the coffins of dead soldiers returning from Iraq. Might upset the family...

**bailey** · August-22-11, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

I think that's the same reasoning they wouldn't show the coffins of dead soldiers returning from Iraq. Might upset the family...

Well, yes. but the policy for not showing the coffins was political... it was precisely because the nation would get upset, upset the families and maybe people would start asking why we're bring home kids in boxes....and we can't have all that un american questioning of our imperial leaders.

Showing a stunt man tumbling to his death is another discussion. I thought it was in incredibly bad taste. especially the video on the news. I mean c'mon, is there no sense of decency?

**Detroitnerd** · August-22-11, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

Well, yes. but the policy for not showing the coffins was political... it was precisely because the nation would get upset, upset the families and maybe people would start asking why we're bring home kids in boxes....and we can't have all that un american questioning of our imperial leaders.

Showing a stunt man tumbling to his death is another discussion. I thought it was in incredibly bad taste. especially the video on the news. I mean c'mon, is there no sense of decency?

Well, it would make me think twice about being a stuntman. Being horrified by reality often produces, shall we say, informed choices?

I'm not being facetious. Censorship is a serious matter, and the effects of it often outstrip mere offenses against good taste. If you have a sense of decency, you might look away.