A parachutist from the Army display team, the Red Devils, had a narrow escape when his parachute failed to open fully at a display in Cumbria.
The soldier was plummeting to the ground during a display at the Whitehaven Air Show in Cumbria when his device failed.
His life was saved by another team member who managed to catch up with him and control his decent.
The pair then came down into Whitehaven's Queens Dock where they were picked up by an inflatable safety boat.
One witness, Sarah David wrote on Facebook: "(It) was awful watching them struggling, especially when they veered off course - until we realised they were purposely targeting the biggest area of water for ditching in to."
Melanie Ryden added: "We felt sick watching them tangled together and falling so fast. So relieved they landed in the water and were unhurt. Well done guys."
Pictures showed one of the men, dressed in the team's distinctive red outfit, appearing to grab the collapsed parachute of another man below him.
A message later posted on the air show's Facebook page, said: "We can confirm that the Red Devil parachutists are both safe and sound.
"For the first time in 25 years they had a parachute fail.
"One team member caught his teammate and brought him into Queens Dock.
"Our safety procedures worked perfectly and a huge thank you to Whitehaven Marina for getting them out of the water so quickly."
The Red Devils, which is made up of elite members of the British Army's Parachute Regiment, formed in 1963.
It has a similar function to the RAF's Red Arrows and carries out more than 60 displays every year.
It currently comprises of 12 serving soldiers from the three battalions of the Paras, all of whom have to have at least three years experience.
An Army spokesman said the incident was being investigated.
