Ex-Royal Marine completes Ironman after skydive injury

Summarised from BBC Hampshire's report · Updated 10 Oct, 08:01 · Archive

Michael Oakes, a former Royal Marine, is competing in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, three years after a serious skydiving accident.

Michael Oakes, 50, a former Royal Marine commando from Andover, Hampshire, is competing in the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, three years after suffering a serious skydiving injury. In October 2023, during his 379th skydive, Oakes hit the ground at 40mph when a complicated manoeuvre went wrong. He suffered a burst fracture in his lumbar spine with one vertebra broken into six pieces and was airlifted to hospital in Southampton by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Oakes underwent major surgery using metal screws and rods to stabilise the fracture and was initially told he may never walk again. Despite being told he would not be able to do anything significant for nine to 12 months, he set himself the target of competing in an Ironman whilst still in hospital. The championship competition involves a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and 26.2-mile marathon. Oakes was an accomplished athlete before the accident, having completed 18 Ironman triathlons and six 100-mile ultramarathons. He has described the recovery as a 'long, hard road' and credited his military background with helping him adopt a 'single-minded mental approach' and 'cheerfulness in adversity' to his rehabilitation.

Read the report

• 'Long, hard road' from skydive injury to IronmanMichael Oakes is taking on the challenge three years after being seriously injured while skydiving.BBC Hampshire · 10 Oct, 07:08

In this story: Michael Oakes · Andover · Hampshire · Netheravon · Wiltshire · Kailua-Kona · Hawaii · Royal Marine

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem