Bungee Jumping Dare: Near-Death Experience and I Received a $380 Reward

① Bungee Jumping Accident in Thailand

Bungee jumping, a thrilling adventure activity, is synonymous with an adrenaline rush. The sensation of leaping from the sky is indescribable, but not everyone dares to take on this challenge. Merely contemplating bungee jumping is enough to make even the bravest hearts skip a beat. Though it can be terrifying, the presence of safety gear provides a semblance of security.

However, how would it feel if you thought your safety gear disappeared in mid-jump? It’s a scenario that most wouldn’t even want to imagine. Such an incident made headlines in Thailand; we’re here to investigate what happened.

On January 23rd, a Hong Kong tourist in Pattaya, Thailand, had a near-fatal accident while bungee jumping. The ‘Chang Thai Tapphaya Safari Adventure Park,’ located in the northwestern part of Pattaya, offers a range of activities, including ziplining and paintball, making it a popular travel destination.

The man leaped from a height close to that of a 10-story building with outstretched arms. However, as he reached the ground, the bungee cord suddenly snapped during the recoil, plunging him into the water. Fortunately, he survived by a hair’s breadth, landing in a lake about 5 meters deep.

Onlookers watched in anxious anticipation as he struggled to the surface, having his feet tangled but managing to swim to safety. He later stated, “If I didn’t know how to swim, it would have been extremely perilous.”

② The Company’s Compensation was Outrageous

The man recounted the harrowing experience: “The jumping platform was so high that I closed my eyes, planning to open them again when the recoil lifted me up.” He hadn’t initially intended bungee jumping, but his friends persuaded him.

The park refunded the bungee jump cost and covered all expenses for X-rays and ultrasounds at a local Thai hospital, totaling approximately $380. However, after returning to Hong Kong, the man spent several days in the hospital and incurred medical bills of about $8,450. The compensation provided by the local park fell far short of covering his expenses, which were ultimately calculated through his travel insurance. He demanded reimbursement from the Thai Tourism Authority and the park.

So, how did the local park react to this incident? Nit In-Team, the park’s founder, stated, “This was the first incident where a bungee cord snapped,” and explained that the staff immediately pulled him out of the water and took him to the hospital after inquiring about his condition. Furthermore, it was revealed that he had agreed to the company’s waiver of liability before participating in the jump, which indicated that the company would cover medical expenses but not other costs in the event of an accident.

The park’s stance is that such incidents are unprecedented, and they have participants sign accident-related waivers before bungee jumping, where only hospital bills are considered. Despite the medical bills exceeding $8,000, the park insisted that the compensation was limited to $380.

③ Similar Accidents Occurred

Bungee jumping is an activity that could potentially lead to fatalities if accidents occur. Aside from Thailand, similar accidents during bungee jumps have been reported. In 2021, a woman in Colombia tragically leaped to her death, mistakenly interpreting a signal from her companion to jump.

The company’s employees signaled her boyfriend, who was equipped with safety gear and waiting to jump, but she misunderstood the signal and jumped, resulting in her death. The company was also found to be operating without proper permits, leading to an investigation by the authorities.

Similar incidents have occurred in South Korea. In 2016, a woman in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, experienced a detachment of the bungee cord connected to her safety vest while bungee jumping. She plummeted 42 meters into a river below, suffering extensive injuries, including fractures and facial paralysis. She vividly expressed her fear, trauma, and the substantial medical expenses incurred during her hospitalization. The company’s response during the police investigation raised eyebrows as they downplayed the incident, sparking public outrage.

By. Kim Minjae (minjaaie33@mememedia.co.kr)