Skydiver Paralyzed In Midair Collision Not Giving Up On Daring Pastime

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ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (CBSMiami) – Even though a skydiver was left paralyzed following a terrifying accident over central Florida, he insists he isn't up on the daring pastime just yet.

During his 402nd skydive — this one at Skydive City in Zephyrhills — 23-year-old Sebastian Leal collided with another jumper around 12,000 feet in the air.

At 750 feet, his reserve parachute opened.

He hit power lines, he said, before crashing to the ground.

"I feel very fortunate to be alive," he said.

The freak accident happened about five seconds after he left the plane.

"My next memory is lying on the ground in pain," he explained.

Leal couldn't move his legs. He fractured four vertebrae when he hit the power lines on the way down.

He landed on the side of the road, three-and-a-half miles from his drop zone.

Now he's paralyzed from the waist down, but unbelievably grateful.

"I am very thankful to the person who reacted as quickly as they did and called the police. They saved my life," he said.

Leal lives in Mexico and was in Florida on vacation.

He heads to Atlanta on Friday for weeks of rehab.

But he isn't giving up on skydiving.

"There are other skydivers who have been handicapped and who have been able to get back on their wing suits, which is inspiring for me. And I hope that I serve as an inspiration for others as well," he said.

And hopes he'll soar again soon.

"I am optimistic that one day I will fly a wing suit again," Leal said.

The other jumper who collided with Leal wasn't hurt in the accident.