Skydiver Luke Aikins has become the first person to jump from 25,000 ft (7,620m) without a parachute, landing safely in a net.

On July 30, the 42-year-old American – who has more than 18,000 jumps under his belt – fell dead centre into the 100x100ft net in Simi Valley, southern California.

During the two-minute fall aired live on Fox television, Luke Aikins reached the speed of 120mph (193km/h).

To loud cheers, Luke Aikins climbed out of the net and hugged his wife and young son.

“I’m almost levitating, it’s incredible,” he said after the jump.

“This thing just happened! I can’t even get the words out of my mouth,” said Luke Aikins, admitting that he was nervous beforehand.

Luke Aikins also admitted that he had nearly had to cancel the jump because he was ordered to wear a parachute for safety and this would have made his landing more dangerous because of the extra weight.

However, the organizers had lifted the ban just minutes before the jump.

His spokesman Justin Aclin said: “Aikins’ leap represents the culmination of a 26-year career that will set a personal and world record for the highest jump without a parachute or wing suit.”

Luke Aikins, who is a safety and training adviser for the US Parachute Association, said his friend came up with the idea two years ago.