A CHARITY parachute jump almost ended in disaster when a novice jumper drifted three miles off course and landed in a shooting range.

But Michael Jackson escaped being shot because the range was closed for the day.

The worker of Borden Decorative Products, Belgrave Mill, Darwen, was one of an eight-strong team who were taking part in their first parachute jump to raise cash for Darwen teenager Mark Lloyd.

The other jumpers were Alan Jones, Mark's dad, Danny Young, Ian Briggs, both family friends, and colleagues Michael Hurly, Chris Dixon, Kevin Miller and Andy Taylor all from Borden.

The skydivers took to the air at Langar Airfield, Nottingham, and hope to have made £500 towards the appeal to continue paying for medical treatment for brain-injured Mark.

Michael was not the only casualty on the trip, Alan and Danny both landed badly and had to be treated for minor injuries.

Despite the mishaps, all the parachutists intend to go on to complete a training course of five more jumps, before going on to free-fall from 12,000ft in aid of the appeal.

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