Daredevil’s Death Dive Disaster: What Went Horribly Wrong in Chilling Record Attempt?

Ever wonder what it takes to mix a near-fatal plunge with a prayer of thanks? Well, Australian daredevil Vali Graham just rewrote that script after hurling himself off a 139-foot waterfall—yes, the height of a 13-story building—and walking away with a busted skull, fractured bones, and a story that’s part tragedy, part spiritual saga. You’ve got to ask: when you’re smashing records and possibly your body, how does one find grace in the chaos and call it a “gift of suffering”? Buckle up, because this 21-year-old adrenaline junkie’s journey from unconsciousness in icy waters to a 1.2 km trek back to his car (fractured vertebrae and all) is nothing short of bonkers — and downright inspiring. Curious to see how hope, pain, and faith collided on this death-defying dive? LEARN MORE.

A man was left with critical injuries after he hurled himself off a 139 foot drop – and he thanked God for the ‘gift of suffering’.

Australian Vali Graham was hoping to claim a new record title, when he jumped off a 42 metre high waterfall on June 11, the equivalent of a 13-storey building.

The 21-year-old daredevil was left with a fractured skull and needed two major surgeries after the terrifying incident.

Graham jumped from the top of Minnehaha Falls in the New South Wales Blue Mountain region, and footage has been shared of his attempt.

The adrenaline junkie is seen preparing to dive and checking everything is ready, before launching himself off the top of the cliff.

He performs a twist in the air, but landed badly as he entered the water.

The 21-year-old was attempting to break a world record when it went badly wrong (Instagram/philosophyofsend)

The force of hitting the water at the wrong angle knocked him unconscious, as well as fracturing his skull and back.

He also sustained a concussion and a burst eardrum, and his team of safety ‘spotters’ managed to jump in, and can be heard calling for help.

Graham came to while still in the water, and managed to swim to the edge and made it back onto dry land, where he incredibly walked the 1.2km to his car despite his injuries, where he was rushed to hospital.

He has been updating people with his recovery and the required surgery following his petrifying death dive.

He had been attempting to break the current world record, a height of 41.7 meters, held by Swiss champion Lucien Charlon.

To complete a death dive, competitors jump from a high place, before curling into a pike position before hitting the water.

The championships for the sport are held in Norway.

Graham wrote to his followers that his suffering ‘was a gift from God’.

“Update: ‘God gives us the gift of suffering’ after sending this monster 42.5m cliff I was knocked unconscious,” he wrote.

“I sustained a burst eardrum and fractured my T11 vertebrae, sternum, and a small fracture on my skull near my burst eardrum. All love to my spotters.

“After regaining consciousness I pulled myself out of the water and walked a steep 1.2km out to our car where my friends took me to hospital.”

“The support was amazing, I’ve had surgery on my back and sternum and was walking 2 days after surgery,” he explained.

“Back at home now, on my feet and grateful for life, good friends, family and God.”

“A set back is an opportunity to show how bad you really want it,” he insisted.

“I am honestly mentally feeling amazing, ready to rebuild my body better than ever and come back stronger, a long way to go but excited for the journey.”

Followers rushed to the comment section to share their support for his antics.

“Full credit to him, he deserves the world record,” insisted one.

“Not many will understand, legendary! Heal up quick,” praised another.

“Walking 1.2km with a fractured vertebrae is wild bro,” said one shocked follower.

Not everyone was impressed, though.

“Grateful for God? Dude you jumped from the height of a 13-storey building and now my taxes have to pay for your dumb choices,” one person commented.

“God didn’t give you that suffering, you did that yourself,” another said.

“Why in that big caption did you not thank the doctors a single time. Lots of thanking God but not the humans who actually operated on you,” asked another.