Witnesses tell of parachute stunt from tower block
PROBE INTO TRIO SEEN JUMPING FROM CITY HIGH-RISE
THREE parachutists were seen jumping from the top of a huge Newcastle tower block, much to the shock of passers-by.
Now the unofficial jump from the second tallest building in Newcastle is being investigated by police.
Northumbria Police received reports at around 9.40pm on Monday, that three unknown males had leapt from the top of Vale House, Jesmond, before pulling parachutes and gliding down into the car park below.
After making the 262ft base jump, it is said that the three then left on foot and are believed not to have been injured in the stunt.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At around 9.40pm yesterday (Monday), police received a report of a disturbance at Vale House on Lansdowne Gardens in Jesmond.
“It was reported that three unknown males parachuted off the roof of the building and landed in a nearby car park before leaving the area on foot.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish if any criminal offences have taken place.
“It is not believed that anyone was injured.”
Some members of the public witnessed the jump, such as 27-year-old Dom Partridge who was sat in the beer garden of the nearby Blue Bell pub.
Speaking to The Chronicle, he said: “I heard a crack – as the parachutes make a really loud noise when pulled, and then I saw someone floating down from the building. I thought it was an action man figure with a parachute at first, but then I realised it was people base jumping after the second one came down.”
Resident at Vale House, Julia Liddell, also witnessed the parachutists from her 14th floor apartment.
She added: “About half past nine I heard a load of fluttering and saw a black thing go past my window. So I looked out and I could see somebody in a parachute who had jumped off the building.
“Then all of a sudden, another one came flying by. I think there could have been up to three of them because I saw another one filming across the grass from the steps. Somebody getting access to the roof is really serious.”
Vale House is the second largest building in Newcastle behind Hadrian’s Tower, which is 272ft.