A nightmare became reality for Molly Carlson.
It looked like a scene straight out of a horror movie, a professional cliff diver slipping from a 72-foot platform, plummeting into the water in what could have been a deadly accident.
Spectators watched in horror as the terrifying moment played out in real time during a high-profile diving event, and the athlete was lucky to escape with minor injuries.
The 26-year-old was training for the event in Polignano a Mare, Italy, when she slipped on the edge of a 22-metre (72-ft) diving board.
Carlson subsequently went tumbling into the water but managed to flip around to land feet first. She suffered minor injuries as a result.
The diver shared footage of the scary incident on social media on Saturday.
Molly Carlson wrote: “Scariest moment of my life…
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“It breaks my heart to announce that I will not be competing in the second stop of the @redbullcliffdiving World Series here in Italy as I’ve suffered a really scary accident. One of my nightmares came true.
“First of all, I am so grateful to be okay. I never imagined in my life that I would ever slip off of a high-diving platform, but it happened,” she said.
“I’m SHOCKED at my reflex skills to find my feet like a cat and be okay.
“Unfortunately, on the takeoff, I got a massive bruise on my foot.
“I considered powering through and diving on it, but it just wasn’t the right choice for my health.
“Thank you to everyone in advance for your kind words, I am okay.Italy, I’m so glad I still got a few beautiful dives in xoxo, until next time, Ciao.”
Carlson won gold at Bahrain’s World Aquatics High Diving World Cup last year.
Molly Carlson Pulled Out of Next Event
Red Bull cliff diver Molly Carlson was forced to pull out of her latest competition series after a nearly catastrophic misstep sent her tumbling several stories into the ocean.
The Canadian suffered a severe bruise on her foot.
After the accident, Carlson confirmed that she would not participate in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series that was held in Polignano a Mare.
