The skydiver who cheated death when his parachute became entangled at 100ft today arrived back in Northern Ireland after being flown home by air ambulance from America.

Paul McMahon (29) survived against the odds when he plummeted to the ground as he prepared to land in the California desert, where he had spent a week doing a series of jumps.

Mr McMahon arrived by air ambulance at the old terminal at Belfast City Airport shortly after 7am and was taken to hospital. His father Victor, who last week had flown to America to be with his son, had arrived home earlier and was taken to meet with his son this morning.

Paul, a trained physiotherapist and keen sportsman from Baronscourt near Castlederg, had been on a life support machine after losing six pints of blood, and was unconscious for three days.

The accident, which happened 11 days ago, has left the Tyrone man with multiple injuries, including two badly broken legs and a crushed pelvis.

It is now believed he will have to spend up to five months in hospital following his return to Northern Ireland, and may not fully recover from his ordeal for two years.

An experienced sky diver, Mr McMahon has completed over 100 parachute jumps in America and across Europe, and had been adjusting to land during the 14,000 foot jump when his parachute spun out of control and his canopy landed on the earth below him.

Victor McMahon this morning travelled to the airport to await the arrival of an ambulance from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to collect his son.

Speaking about his son’s ordeal, Mr McMahon said: “I can only hope and pray he will make a full recovery and can pick up the pieces of an active, useful life, but he’s determined and competitive and we are optimistic he can make a 100% recovery.

“When he was approaching the landing mark, he made an adjustment, the parachute spun out of control, the canopy hit the ground first and Paul crashed to the ground. We don’t know how he survived it.

“Indications are that his spine and head were not seriously injured, and, as a Christian, he is asking everyone at home to pray for him.”

“It will be very difficult as he fights back to full fitness — he has been involved in sports like amateur boxing, karate, track and field events — and he will find this very tough.

“As a result of having various tubes down his throat during his time on a life support machine, he can’t actually talk, but I’m told that’s coming back, although he’s had to write to communicate with the doctors and nurses.”