A skydiver has set a world record on the South Coast.
Luke Aikins jumped 25,000 feet without a parachute at the Big Sky movie ranch on the outskirts of Simi Valley on Saturday. He hit the 100-by-100-foot net perfectly, quickly climbed out of it and walked over to hug his wife. It was broadcast live on the Fox network.
Just before climbing into a plane to make the jump, Aikins said he had been ordered to wear a parachute but said he wouldn't open it. As the plane was climbing to 25,000 feet above the drop zone, he said the requirement had been lifted and he took off the chute.
The 42-year-old fell for about two minutes, then flipped onto his back at the last second and landed perfectly to cheers from those gathered to watch.