Flare saved daredevil’s life

12/03/2019

A flare helped save the life of a daredevil whose life was filled with adrenaline and was a free-fall skydiver and diver.

The incident happened when Joe Jones, of Armthorpe, Doncaster, and a fellow member of Sheffield Sub-Aqua Club were stranded in the North Sea.
Their boatman had jammed his anchor and was unable to follow their buoy, reports the Doncaster Free Press, while highlighting two books about Joe Jones’ life.
A flare was fired that was spotted by Flamborough Head coastguards and a rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield was also dispatched. However, the pair were rescued by a nearby fishing boat.
Mr Jones was a member of the British Parachute Club, and the Parachute Regimental Association, and is a holder of the Altitude of Gratitude Award, for promoting skydiving and completing over 1000 descents, both military and civilian.
During a dive in the 1960s his main parachute became tangled and failed to open. Fortunately, his reserve chute saved him, just 500 feet and seconds from the ground.
I Did It My Way is a collection of anecdotes “about happy times with good friends who together chased adventure and excitement.” Joe Drops In tells more of his adventures.
Copies of the books can be obtained from the family but are not for sale. Mr Jones, who had a stroke three years ago, requests donations to the Stroke Association instead. Anyone who want to read the books can obtain copies by emailing kelly@truckhydraulicsltd.co.uk.
The main image is a stock shot of a Pains Wessex flare.