Vesna Vulović, a Woman that holds the Guinness World Record for the Highest Fall without a Parachute and Surviving

This is Vesna Vulović. She holds the Guinness World Record for the highest fall without a parachute and surviving. She is reported to have fallen 6.3 miles (33,330 ft; 10,160 m) from the sky when a briefcase bomb exploded onboard JAT Flight 367 and crashed into what was then Czechoslovakia in 1972.

So, how exactly did she survive the fall? When the bomb exploded during mid-flight, almost all the passengers were sucked out of the airplane into subfreezing temperatures and fell to their deaths. Vulović was trapped inside the fuselage and pinned down by a food cart. She landed in a heavily wooded area with snow, which helped cushion her fall. Interestingly enough, Vulović's low blood pressure allowed her to pass out quickly when the cabin depressurized and prevented her heart from bursting on impact. When applying to become a flight attendant, Vulović had concealed her low blood pressure from the medical examiners by drinking several cups of coffee.

Vulović was the only survivor, and upon impact, had broken both her legs, parts of her vertebrae, and several ribs. She also fractured her skull and pelvis. After spending several days in a coma, Vulović awoke and asked for a cigarette. She had no recollection of the explosion or the crash. Her recuperation took a total of 16 months. 

She was found by a villager in a snowbank.  Despite her fall, she only sustained a fractured skull, broken legs, and three broken vertebrae.

She admitted that she had a fear of flying after the accident, which is why she took a desk job at the airline.

There are alternative theories suggesting the plane was actually flying at a much lower altitude when it broke apart, but these are contested.

A fascinating fact about Vesna Vulović is her resilience and determination following the accident. Despite the severe injuries and trauma she endured, Vulović went on to lead a remarkable life. After her recovery, she continued to work for JAT Airways but in a ground-based role, as she was no longer eligible to be a flight attendant due to her injuries.

Vulović later became a vocal advocate for peace and reconciliation during the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. She used her experience and platform to promote unity and understanding among the various ethnic groups in the region, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation.

Her story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for survival and resilience, not only in the face of physical adversity but also in striving for peace and harmony in a troubled world.

Vulović died on December 23, 2016, at the age of 66.