Two experienced skydivers were tragically killed when they collided with one another during a jump and suffered catastrophic injuries, officials have confirmed.
The pair were falling over the city of Lake Elsinore in Southern California when disaster struck on Friday (6 November).
Described as licensed and experienced, they were both at the end of their jump when they collided and their parachutes became entangled shortly before noon, according to Skydive Elsinore.
The Riverside County Fire Department said the two had suffered traumatic injuries and were rushed to hospital from the scene.
Police at the scene of the incident (ABC7)
They were described as being in a ‘critical condition’ but both were later pronounced dead, Lt. Deirdre Vickers, of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
A post on X, shared by the Riverside County Fire Department read: “TRAUMATIC INJURIES – Firefighters are on scene of traumatic injuries involving two skydivers. Both patients suffered major injuries and were transported by ground ambulance for further care. No other injuries were reported.”
The collision happened near to Skydive Elsinore, with the centre saying there was no indication their equipment had malfunctioned.
“Eyewitnesses report that the freefall portion of the jump was normal and uneventful, and that both skydivers opened their parachutes at the expected altitude,” Skydive Elsinore said in a statement.
“As they prepared to land, the two skydivers collided at approximately 150 feet above the ground.”
The skydivers’ identities have not yet been publicly released. A cause as to what happened is not yet clear, but investigations are ongoing.
According to reports, they were visiting to participate in the California Women’s Upright Record team.
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