World

D-Day veteran becomes world's oldest skydiver

10:11 am on 15 May 2017

A British veteran of the Second World War has become the world's oldest skydiver.

Verdun Hayes has become the oldest ever skydiver at 101 years and 38 days old. Photo: Screengrab / BBC

Bryson William Verdun Hayes, who is 101 years old, has completed a parachute jump from an altitude of 5000m along with three generations of his family.

Mr Hayes served in the Army during World War II and was presented with a Legion d'honneur for his heroic actions on D-Day, and in the campaign to liberate Europe from the Nazis.

He said the jump was something he had wanted to do since he turned 90 - but had been talked out of it by his wife.

"Beautiful. Really, I'd do it again tomorrow ... it's lovely."

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said Mr Hayes would be celebrating with a glass of champagne.

- BBC