A tourist's parachute became snagged on a luxury hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, leaving him dangling 23 stories above a busy street before his rescue on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old Belgian national was attempting to BASE jump from the 27th floor of Hotel Indigo when his parachute became caught on the building's exterior. BASE jumping is an extreme sport that involves parachuting from fixed objects, including buildings, bridges, and cliffs.
Police said the incident occurred at around 10:42 p.m. on Tuesday and that the tourist was eventually charged. He is scheduled to appear in Auckland District Court on October 27.
Firefighters were forced to smash a glass panel worth approximately $20,000 to reach the stranded tourist, causing damage to the building's exterior and disrupting the evening for guests staying at the hotel. The tourist was not injured and did not require medical treatment.
Inspector Grae Anderson, the area commander of Auckland City, said that investigators believe the tourist was the same person who filmed himself BASE jumping from another Auckland building in September. Anderson condemned the stunt, saying it was "reckless and poses risks to the person jumping and those on the ground."
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