In September 1999, Joan Murray, a 47-year-old Bank of America executive from Charlotte, North Carolina, survived a skydiving accident that left her with devastating injuries. She had jumped from about 14,500 feet when her main parachute failed to open. Her reserve parachute deployed at roughly 700 feet but soon lost its effectiveness. Murray then struck the ground at around 80 mph. She landed on a mound of fire ants and was stung hundreds of times while seriously injured. Murray later said doctors believed the ant stings could have contributed to her survival, although the exact medical explanation was never established. She spent about 15 days in a coma and underwent extensive treatment before eventually returning to skydiving.
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