101-year-old D-Day veteran breaks world skydiving record

Verdun Hayes, 101 (and 38 days), leapt 15,000 feet from a plane in the UK this week to claim the Guinness World Record as the oldest person to skydive.

The great-grandfather made the tandem jump together with ten family members including his 74-year-old son, 50-year-old grandson and 16-year-old great-grandson.

Mr Hayes, who served in the British Army during the Second World War and was awarded France’s Legion of Honour, had wanted to try skydiving when he was 90, but was talked out of it at the time by his late wife. He finally made his first attempt last year at the age of 100.

He’s not the only senior to take up the sport though. Former US President George H. W. Bush has famously celebrated his 75th, 80th, 85th and 90th birthdays by skydiving.