Miracle Escape for Australian Bungee Jumper at Victoria Falls

Australian backpacker Erin Langworthy fell into the Zambezi river following the terrifying mishap, which happened as she leapt from a bridge at Victoria Falls on the country's border with Zimbabwe.

The 22-year-old told how her feet were still tied together as she fell head first into the fast-flowing rapids beneath the world's largest waterfall.

Miss Langworthy said she feared for her life but managed to survive after swimming to a nearby bank on the side of the river.

'I landed with my legs tied and then had to swim to the Zimbabwe side [of the river] through the rapids,' she told Australia's Channel Nine network.

'It was quite scary because a couple of times the rope actually got caught on some rocks or debris.

'I actually had to swim down and yank the bungee cord out of whatever it was caught on to make it to the surface.'

Ms Langworthy spend a week in hospital following the incident, which happened on New Year's Eve.

Officials have since launched an investigation into what caused the terrifying accident.

Chilling footage of the incident shows the young holidaymaker, from Perth, leaping from the bridge which crosses a gorge 111 metres above the water.

It shows how her bungee cord snapped as she reached the bottom of her descent, sending her flying down towards the water below.

According to reports it is believed she was around 20 metres above the Zambezi when the cord broke.

She hit the water and immediately fought to get herself towards the shore.
Zambian police spokeswoman Brenda Muntemba confirmed the holidaymaker was eventually rescued after reaching the side of the river.

She was treated by medics in the town of Victoria Falls before being transferred to a hospital in neighbouring South Africa.

The government has set out to reassure people the tourist attraction is safe, despite the incident.

Tourism minister Given Lubinda said around 50,000 people made the leap each year at the world-famous beauty spot.

'The bungee has proven to be a very viable operation considering that more than 50,000 tourists jump on it every year.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Zambia
• Victoria Falls
• Jump
• Australia

[Vonstuker4]

Well.. I can scratch bungee jumping off my bucket list now

[stern0407]

Take the fucking bip out

[utubelovesme1]

Love how everyone is crapping on about the beeps and cursing, ummm pretty sure their friends bungee cord just snapped ffs!

[BisonKidOfficial]

She better had sued them

[bloodnutdanut]

2 the jimbo? So fkn wat mate u want a medal or a chest 2 pin it on

[TheJimbo349]

I went bungee jumping in thailand it was like double that height

[nfsmwnfsc]

1. How long is her curse words (the bleep goes for like 3 secs)

2. Channel 9 failed to bleep out some words

3. Cursing won't help her get out of the water

4. At 1:05 does she say 'We're not worried about our friend'?

5. Ohh no shit!, obviously they are going to help.

[Styleeishable]

OMG OMG OMG... never bungee... EVER!

[StimpsonJCatEsquire]

What was the guy with the absail equip for??

[NickHafling3r]

@Vonstuker4

Why that? Just put it at the very end of it ;)

[Charlemagne0815]

i pressed "dont like" because of the beeps