A 28-year-old Boston man was killed in a rare skydiving accident in Massachusetts after a sudden gust of wind disrupted his parachute moments before he was expected to land safely.
According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the man fell approximately 30 feet to the ground and sustained severe injuries after the unexpected wind interfered with his descent.
Emergency crews were called to Jumptown Skydiving in Orange, Massachusetts, around 4 p.m. Sunday following reports of a serious accident, authorities said.
The skydiver, whose name has not yet been made public, was transported to Athol Hospital, located about five miles from the facility, where he was later pronounced dead.
The incident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, along with the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the Orange Police Department.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is also reviewing the case to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Additional information has been requested from the agencies involved in the investigation.
Jumptown expressed sorrow over the fatal accident, saying in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our facility and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the skydiver involved.”
A Boston man, 28, died over the weekend after a skydiving incident at Jumptown in Orange, Massachusetts
The victim, whose identity has not been revealed, was rushed to Athol Hospital, about five miles away from the facility, where he was pronounced dead
Jumptown said in a statement that they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the loss and were cooperating with authorities
The local fire department previously said that Jumptown was a ‘very safe operation’
‘A sudden and unpredictable weather event appears to have caused the accident, and we are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities as they conduct a thorough review.
‘Out of respect for the investigative process and those affected, we will not comment further while the review is ongoing. The safety of our customers, staff, and fellow skydivers remains our highest priority.’
The incident comes less than a year after an experienced skydiving instructor from Connecticut died at the facility.
Robert Szabo, 62, died on October 7, three days after he collided with another skydiver mid-air.
Szabo worked for Connecticut Parachutists and had completed over 5,000 jumps around the world, according to his obituary.
‘Rob was not only an accomplished skydiver but also a well-respected mentor within the skydiving community,’ his obituary continued.
‘As an Accelerated Freefall Instructor, he generously shared his knowledge with new jumpers. His contributions helped shape countless skydivers’ journeys and left an indelible mark on the sport.’
The accident comes less than a year after an experienced skydiver from Connecticut died following a collision at Jumptown
Robert Szabo and Alexis Zayas also died from injuries sustained while skydiving at the facility
In 2022, a skydiver at Jumptown was injured after their parachute got tangled and they made a hard landing on a nearby building.
The Orange Fire Department said in a statement at the time that they did not see emergencies at Jumptown often, calling the facility a ‘very safe operation,’ adding, ‘but like any extracurricular activity, there are risks.’
In 2018, Alexis Zayas, 27, died after suffering severe injuries from a collision with a barn while she was parachuting at Jumptown, the district attorney’s office said at the time.
