Two stranded skydivers rescued from tree in Salisbury

SALISBURY, N.C. — Two skydivers who had a parachute malfunction that left them hanging in a Salisbury tree are thanking their lucky stars.

When Casey Ellis and her instructor, Derek Abernathy, lept from the plane Saturday over the Rowan County Airport, something went wrong.

Ellis said they were spinning and falling out of control before they were caught in a tree off a sewer right-of-way.

Salisbury Fire Department Deputy Chief David Morris said the call came in around 7:58 p.m.

Emergency responders used a ladder to scale the tree and check on the skydivers. A hoist was setup to lift and lower the pair, who escaped with minor scratches.

Ellis, who drove with a friend from West Virginia to knock an item off their bucket list, said she won't be skydiving again.

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Associated Press