LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. -- Ron King is described as an experienced base jumper.
That experience may have saved his life.
King, from Portland, was seriously injured Monday after a failed base jumping attempt on Lewis County's Tower Rock near Randle.
A Navy helicopter worked with Lewis County Sheriff's Office search and rescue crews to locate the man. He was taken to Harborview with serious injuries.
Bee Goncalves jumped off the 2,000-foot peak moments before King. She called 911 after seeing King hit the mountain on the way down.
Goncalves said King's parachute opened, but got tangled on King's body.
She said King suffered a broken heel and leg, scratches and a "bruised ego." She expected him to make a full recovery.
Goncalves said King is experienced and said that likely prevented the injuries from being worse.
She understands why the public cannot understand why someone jump off a place like Tower Rock. Goncalves said they don't want to die, they jump because they want to live.
Base jumping is not illegal on Tower Rock.
