Two skydivers die after low-altitude crash
Riverside County officials report two fatalities following a collision during a women's training camp at Skydive Elsinore.
By Oliver Bennett ·
A midair collision killed two skydivers on Friday morning at an airfield in Southern California.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office responded to an air emergency at approximately 11:50 a.m. The incident occurred in a field next to Skydive Elsinore, a facility located in Lake Elsinore, California, which sits roughly 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Lt. Deirdre Vickers, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, confirmed that authorities discovered two individuals on the ground receiving medical attention. The victims were in critical condition and were transported via ambulance to a hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
The crash took place during a training camp for women organized by the company. A Skydive Elsinore spokesperson stated that the free-fall phase of the jump proceeded normally and that both participants deployed their parachutes at the standard altitude. The two skydivers collided at an estimated height of 150 feet above the ground.
The company described the victims as experienced, licensed skydivers who were visiting from out of town. In a social media statement, the organization noted that the impact caused their parachutes to tangle, resulting in critical injuries for both upon landing.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office is investigating the collision. Skydive Elsinore indicated there was no sign of equipment malfunction. The business identifies itself as the longest-running skydiving operation in North America and maintains several locations throughout California.
