Honduran special forces display goes horribly wrong as four parachutists crash land

A Honduran special forces parachute display went spectacularly wrong as the skydivers, aiming to land on a stadium football pitch, were blown off course, with one slamming into a portable toilet.

The chaos unfolded during Honduras’ 201st Independence Day celebrations on September 15 as 40 paratroopers leapt out of helicopters from 6,500 feet to land in front of screaming, awestruck fans at the José-de-la-Paz-Herrera stadium in the city of Tegucigalpa.

Or that was the plan. But strong winds ended up blowing the experienced sky divers drastically off their intended course in a way that was fortunate not to end in tragedy.

Video of the incident shows the triumphant descent rapidly going awry as four parachutists seemed to lose control at the same time, leading to a series of painful if comical landings one after another. 

One of the divers landed full in the midst of the drummers in a brass band parade marching along the running track that surround the pitch, while another got his parachute caught in the stand roof and plummeted to the floor among the crowds. 

A parachute jump for Honduras’ Independence Day went spectacularly wrong last month when many of the skydivers missed their landing spot

40 troopers leapt out of helicopters from 6,500 feet to land in front of screaming, awestruck fans at the José-de-la-Paz-Herrera stadium in the city of Tegucigalpa

The parachutist who fell into the crowds made landfall just in front of the stage occupied by Honduras’ celebrities and VIPs. 

Another second fell just behind the main dais where President Xiomara Castro, her family and the government cabinet were located. 

One unlucky trooper swooped down at high speeds, overrunning the soft grass and slamming directly into a row or portable toilet. 

There were also reports that one soldier had a crash landing outside of the stadium and was taken to hospital with a fractured foot. 

The team of daredevils had been practising the jump for many weeks beforehand in the build up to the annual festivities that mark the Central American country’s Independence from Spain. 

The  majority of the team did manage to land in the intended spot – if at times a little roughly, with a few giving straight-backed salutes to the waiting cameras.

One of the jumpers, named only as Zavala Avilez, said he was a member of the Special Forces and was very happy with the experience of being part of the long-awaited group.

‘I am really happy to bring so much joy to this beautiful country,’ said the Honduran, before the cheering crowds, who had made the jump for the eighth time.

The chaos unfolded during Honduras’ 201st centenary celebrations on September 15 as 40 troopers leapt out of helicopters from 6,500 feet to land in front of screaming, awestruck fans at the José-de-la-Paz-Herrera stadium in the city of Tegucigalpa

Similarly, Edwin Cerrano, originally from Lempira, said that being in the air is ‘something spectacular’ and said that he practised his jump for 15 days.

The intensity went up several notches when a skydiver carrying the Honduran flag landed almost perfectly, tripping and falling to his knees, but quickly getting up and raising his arms in triumph.

The Independence Day of Honduras, observed every year on September 15, has long been a day of fun and celebration for the people of small Central American country.

The country threw off Spanish colonial rule on that date in 1821, and have celebrated the day ever since.

Typical festivities include parades with colourful floats and marching bands from local schools. School children perform dances and plays showcasing Honduran history and culture.

Later in the evening, official ceremonies end with people gathering to sing the Honduran national anthem as the flag is lowered. However, in many communities, the street parties can carry on well into the night.