Young Australian Suffers Serious Injuries While Attempting a World Death Dive Record

On June 11, Vali Graham, a 21-year-old Australian, performed a daring feat that almost ended in tragedy. From the top of Minnehaha Falls, a 42.5-meter waterfall in New South Wales—the equivalent of a 13-story building—he attempted to break the world record for the Norwegian extreme sport known as dodging, or death diving.

The jump, captured on video and viral on social media, began with meticulous preparation. Graham, a fan of this risky sport, was filmed concentrating on the ledge before jumping into the void.

During the fall, he performed an acrobatic maneuver, trying to keep his body extended as much as possible, as dictated by dodging, before catching it to minimize the impact when it hit the water.

However, something went wrong. At the last second, he adopted a "pike" stance—more rigid than expected—which caused a brutal impact with the water. The force of the impact immediately rendered him unconscious.

The safety team acted quickly and managed to rescue him. Graham suffered multiple injuries: a fractured skull, T11 vertebra, and sternum, a concussion, and a ruptured eardrum.

He underwent emergency surgery for back and chest injuries and remained under medical observation for several days. Despite the severity of his condition, his recovery has been remarkable. Just two days after surgery, he was already walking. "I'm ready to rebuild my body and come back stronger," he stated on Instagram.

The current world record, according to the Daily Mail, is held by Swiss Lucien Charlon at 41.7 meters. Graham attempted to surpass this record with his jump of 42.5 meters.

The video generated mixed reactions. Many applauded the young man's courage: "It's beyond comprehension how he does that," wrote one user. Another commented: "He deserves the world record." But there was also criticism: "My taxes have to pay for your decisions," one indignantly expressed.

Despite everything, the young man hasn't lost his spirit. His experience at Minnehaha Falls, although traumatic, hasn't made him give up his passion. "I'm excited for the journey ahead," he stated optimistically, determined to try again... but this time, stronger and more prepared.