Army

Army Sergeant Charged Over Wife's Parachute Plunge

Photo: File Image

A British Army sergeant has been charged with attempted murder after his wife's parachute failed to open during a skydiving jump.

Sgt Emile Cilliers, originally from South Africa, was arrested following the incident on the 5th of April 2015.

His wife Victoria, who had recently given birth to the couple's second child, jumped alone from a Cessna light aircraft over Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire.

At 3,000ft her main canopy failed to deploy while the reserve chute then only partially opened. Mrs Cilliers hit the ground at approximately 30mph suffering multiple injuries including broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken leg and spinal injuries. She spent three weeks in hospital before returning home.

36-year-old Emile Cilliers was an instructor with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps attached to the Royal Engineers at the time of his arrest.

Also charged with a second count of attempted murder and an account of criminal damage, Cilliers is on bail ahead of an appearance at Salisbury Magistrates' Court in October.

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