Parachutist Hurt in Leap at Joshua Tree

A parachutist sustained minor injuries Monday when he jumped off a cliff on Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park and winds blew his chute onto rocks during his descent, a park official said.

William Fleming, 23, of Truckee, jumped from a cliff above the Cowboy Crags-Oyster Bar area, near Saddle Rocks, according to Joe Zarki of Joshua Tree National Park.

"His parachute was blown by winds onto rocks as he descended," Zarki said.

Park officials were notified of the accident about 8 a.m. Monday, and eight rangers and volunteers with Joshua Tree Search-and-Rescue responded, Zarki said.

They found found Fleming high up in granite rock and boulder formations on the northwest slopes of Ryan Mountain, near the Oyster Bar area, Zarki said.

Other emergency responders included personnel with San Bernardino County Fire Engine 36, Morongo Basin Ambulance, two Riverside County helicopters, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter, Zarki said.

After an initial assessment and first aid treatment for his injuries, Fleming was airlifted via short haul by one of the Riverside County helicopters to the Oyster Bar parking area, where he was taken by ambulance to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Zarki said.

Zarki described Fleming's parachute attempt as an "unauthorized base jumping incident."

The term "base jumping" stems from the acronym BASE, which stands for "Buildings, Antennas, Spans and Earth." Essentially, base jumpers are parachutists who jump from fixed objects. Their sport is considered significantly more dangerous than skydiving.