Tourist hurt in fall from parachute

A 32-year-old British tourist was yesterday recovering in the Lito Clinic in Paralimni after a near fatal incident when the rope attaching his parachute to the boat was severed while he was parasailing.

Peter Shapkin came close to drowning when he fell into the sea from a height of between 20 to 30 metres. He also suffered a compressed fracture to his 12th thoracic vertebra, two fractured ribs and a broken wrist.

A doctor at the clinic confirmed yesterday that Shapkin is recovering very well and will stay in the clinic for further observation.

According to Paralimini police, a piece of iron at the back of the boat caused the rope to fray and eventually snap.

The incident occurred in the Kaparis area of Paralimini at 5pm on Friday and is being treated as an accident, pending further investigation.