Parachutist `critically ill'

Birmingham - An RAF parachutist who crashed into a football stand and fell about 80 feet to the ground in front of 40,000 Premiership…

Birmingham - An RAF parachutist who crashed into a football stand and fell about 80 feet to the ground in front of 40,000 Premiership fans was critically ill yesterday. Doctors at Birmingham's City Hospital said Flight Sgt Nigel Rogoff - a veteran of more than 6,000 parachute jumps - was in a "stable" condition.

Fans who had turned out to watch the Premiership clash between Aston Villa and Arsenal watched in horror as Flt Sgt Rogoff, who was dressed as Father Christmas, plummeted to the ground during a half-time display at yesterday's match. He had two broken legs, a fractured pelvis and broken ribs.