BASE jumper's amazing escape

A Russian BASE jumper had a miraculous escape when snow cushioned his fall after his parachute failed to open.

The young daredevil jumped off a 120-metre pylon while a friend made a video of the stunt which has been uploaded to YouTube.

He is seen shuffling nervously towards the edge of the structure's platform before hurling himself into space.

But his parachute does not open properly and a sickening thud can be heard as he hits the ground, with snow visibly rising from the impact.

Somehow, the man survived the fall, although he did not come away completely unscathed.

According to reports, he fractured his vertebrae, pelvis and legs but was walking again after a three month recovery period.