BASE jumpers leap from high-rise apartment building in East Village

Amber Coakley
·2 min read
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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — “I heard a crashing noise while watching TV on the couch. So when I heard the second one, I went out on the balcony and I was surprised to see a parachute below,” an East Village resident told FOX 5.

Known on Instagram as @blakcoutcity, the local man witnessed BASE jumpers soaring through the San Diego sky around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. He reported that two jumpers leapt from the south side of his high-rise apartment building.

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The local said he resides on the 40th floor of Spire San Diego, which is located on the 1400 block of Island Avenue. According to the building’s website, there are a total of 45 floors, making his view up and close.

After hearing the noise, most likely the parachutes opening, he sprung into action and started recording. He was able to fully capture the second jumper in motion, eventually making a safe and smooth landing on the street below.

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What is BASE jumping?

BASE jumping refers to the extreme sport of leaping from high structures and surfaces, then parachuting to the ground. The word BASE is actually an acronym that stands for four categories of fixed object someone may jump off of: buildings, antennas (referring to radio masts), spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs).

Is it legal?

Although the legality of BASE jumping varies in different countries and cities, jumping from buildings or private properties could lead to charges like trespassing, breaking and entering, reckless endangerment, and creating a public nuisance.

The National Park Service, however, has banned BASE jumping in all U.S. National Parks.

As far as the rules go for America’s Finest City, FOX 5 has reached out to the San Diego Police Department for their take on the matter. At the time of publication, their response was still pending.

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