Can YOU tell why this terrifying parachute video is fake?

A video purporting to show a parachutist narrowly avoiding being struck by a private jet has been causing a stir online – but not for the reasons you might expect.

The headcam video, apparently showing the near-miss 5,000 feet in the air – was posted to YouTube, and then shared on Reddit. 

But the skeptics on the site’s videos forum weren’t willing to take the video at face value – and uncovered telling evidence that the whole thing was a brilliant fake. 

As the video continues, the parachutist looks to the side as the plane (seen near the parachute on the left hand side) goes past. But this is where the hoax is revealed

The brief footage shows the parachutist – presumably uploader Jacob Menard – looking to his right as he spirals down to the distant ground.

Suddenly a small private jet shoots overhead, with the cameraman looking to his left to see it disappearing into the distance. 

Some were convinced, such as user Scubamine, who said: ‘Can totally believe this. Had a similar incident (in a much slower/smaller plane).’

But others questioned the video’s truthfulness, noting that the uploader had the same name as a man working at a visual effects studio. 

But had they looked closer, they would have spotted a tell-tale error.

As the camera moves around to see the plane flying off, it passes behind the cords connecting the parachute to the jumper.

And there, at that point, a glitch appears.

The straps near the airplane seem to detach – as though they, or the plane, were copy-pasted onto the video.

Exactly what the origins of the video are will likely remain a mystery for now, as – after Menard’s name was put out there on Reddit – the video was taken down.

Either way, it’s probably not one to watch prior to a skydiving adventure. 

A close-up of the plane shows that one of the straps on the parachute glitches out for just a fraction of a second – as though it’s been cut-and-pasted after the fact