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Rob Bugden, a former RAF physical training instructor turned parachute jumping instructor, experienced a life-altering event during a training exercise in January 2016. At the age of 40, Rob jumped from an aircraft at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) alongside six other parachutists when a mid-air collision occurred. This incident caused him to fall nearly 1,000 feet (304 meters), resulting in severe injuries that left him paralysed from the neck down. Reflecting on the accident a decade later, Rob shared, “I have absolutely no memory of it, and you know what? I’m alright with that.”
Originally from the Vale of Glamorgan, Rob entered the Royal Air Force in 2008. After years as a physical training instructor, he transitioned to teaching parachute jumping in 2015. The fateful training session in 2016 was intended to be a routine formation jump, but disaster struck mid-descent. Rob recalled, “That day, I walked down the aircraft – it’s the last time I’m ever going to walk, which is really weird when you think about it.” Following the collision at roughly 1,000 feet, both Rob and his friend—also involved in the accident—were injured. Rob’s neck was broken, and he fell around 900 feet, landing on sand which likely saved his life.
Despite the gravity of his injuries, Rob was fortunate to receive immediate assistance from skilled personnel nearby, including members of the UK special forces conducting exercises in the same area. He expressed immense gratitude, saying, “Without them, I don’t think I’d be alive.” Rob’s friend remained conscious but suffered a broken tibia and fibula, as well as a torn kidney. Rob, however, lost consciousness during the fall, which might have increased his chances of survival.
In the aftermath, Rob underwent multiple surgeries in the United States, including a tracheostomy to aid breathing, insertion of a feeding tube, and a pacemaker installation. Additional procedures repaired his eye socket and stabilized his neck. Transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after three weeks, Rob was confronted with the full extent of his condition; his spinal cord was crushed, leaving him quadriplegic. Nonetheless, his strong will has fueled gradual progress: he eventually regained independent breathing, began to regain shoulder movement, and learned to feed himself despite challenges. Today, Rob depends on round-the-clock care but continues to participate in activities he loves, such as going to the gym and spending time with his loyal dog, Denzel. Rob remains deeply appreciative of the support from the RAF Benevolent Fund and cherishes the close-knit network of family and friends who have helped him adapt to his new life
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