A tragic skydiving accident claimed the life of a participant on Sunday following a reported midair collision between two skydivers, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The unfortunate event transpired at approximately 5:30 p.m. near Colville, located in the northeastern part of Washington state, as stated by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).
The collision took place during a planned group jump involving multiple skydivers. Officials noted that several staff members were present and witnessed the incident, observing that the victim seemed to lose responsiveness while descending.
“Authorities are currently investigating a fatal skydiving accident at West Plains Skydiving, which involved two jumpers during a scheduled group activity,” the ACSO shared in a Facebook post.
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In a similar context, two skydivers are observed deploying their parachutes during a jump on June 28, 2026. (Photo by Lance Rosenfield/Prime for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“On scene, Deputies learned of a mid-air collision resulting in one of the skydivers becoming deceased and the second sustaining injuries requiring additional treatment at a medical facility,” the office added.
The victim was identified as Randy Hubbs, of the Kennewick area in southeastern Washington. The second skydiver was identified as Nicole Klein, of the Colville area.
According to authorities, staff members observed and tracked Hubbs from about 500 feet above ground level after the collision.
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Sunset in the proposed Abercrombie-Hooknose Wilderness, Colville National Forest, Washington. (Eric Zamora/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Among the 11 individuals scheduled to participate in the jump operation, multiple staff members were able to observe and track Hubbs as the incident unfolded, officials reported.
Preliminary findings indicated that Hubbs became unresponsive after colliding with Klein, with witnesses reporting that his head and arms appeared to go limp following the impact.
“Following the collision, Randy Hubbs reportedly became incapacitated and was no longer in control of his parachute canopy,” authorities said.
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A parachutist jumps from a biplane at an airfield outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Aug. 8, 2025. (Dmitri Lovetsky)
Hubbs then drifted north and away from the designated drop zone before disappearing beyond a hill to the northeast, officials said.
Adams County Dispatch later received reports of a medical emergency in the 2000 block of E. Schoessler Road involving two injured skydivers.
Deputies responded to the scene and investigated the incident. Hubbs was later released into the care of the Adams County Coroner’s Office.
Officials added that weather conditions do not appear to have been a contributing factor in the incident.
West Plains Skydiving told local media both jumpers were experienced and using personally owned equipment. The company said Hubbs had completed more than 800 jumps, while Klein had completed about 900.
“We offer our deepest condolences to those impacted by this incident,” ACSO said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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