War Hero, 101, Sets Record as the World’s Oldest Tandem Skydiver

The war veteran is using skydiving to collect funds for the Royal British Legion.

World’s oldest skydiver (Photo: AP)

A 101-year-old World War II veteran has registered his name in the record books as the world's oldest tandem skydiver, after he successfully jumped off a plane flying 1,500 feet above the ground in Dunkeswell, England.

Bryson William Verdun Hayes, at the age of 101 years and 38 days, broke the record of Canadian Armand Gendreau’s, who was 101 years and three days old at the time. Hayes skydived with three generations of his family, all of whom are collecting funds for the Royal British Legion.

Hayes has a very interesting story about his middle name. His father, Joseph Hayes, who served in World War I, sent a letter to his pregnant wife from the battlefield. He asked her to name their new-born child 'Verdun', after the 1916 battle, if a male child was born.

Initially setting his target at £1,000, Hayes has gone past the figure with quite ease. He has already raised over £1,600.

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam