RACINE COUNTY — The Racine County Sheriff's Office says a 36-year-old professional skydiver from Tennessee has died from traumatic injuries after landing in a pond Sunday morning.
The skydiver was doing test runs at Skydive Midwest's property for the national championship competition taking place this week.
The Racine County Sheriff's Office has identified the skydiver as 36-year-old Kyle White.
Officials say it appears the skydiver was coming down at the wrong angle, which resulted in the pond landing.
Racine County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived within minutes and began life-saving measures. Shortly after, Union Grove-Yorkville Fire & Rescue arrived and continued resuscitation efforts but unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Fellow skydivers at the event said his parachute deployed and he showed no signs of distress before, during or immediately before the landing.
There were several other skydivers doing the same exercises today.
In a statement, Skydive Midwest said in part:
"The individual had over 750 jumps and was training for the upcoming United States Parachute Association’s National Skydiving Championships for the discipline known as Canopy Piloting. The jumper was visiting Skydive Midwest from Tennessee. The free fall portion of the skydive was uneventful as was the parachute deployment. During the landing sequence, the jumper initiated an advanced maneuver common with the discipline of Canopy Piloting but made an error resulting in a hard landing and fatal injuries. The jumper’s parachute and related equipment were functioning as designed."
The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
The Racine County Sheriff’s Office wishes to extend their sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends.
Read Skydive Midwest's full statement below:
On Sunday, August 28th at approximately 11:20am CDT, a 36 year old male
passed away during the landing sequence of a skydive.
The individual had over 750 jumps and was training for the upcoming United States Parachute
Association’s National Skydiving Championships for the discipline known as Canopy Piloting.
The jumper was visiting Skydive Midwest from Tennessee.
The free fall portion of the skydive was uneventful as was the parachute deployment. During the
landing sequence, the jumper initiated an advanced maneuver common with the discipline of
Canopy Piloting but made an error resulting in a hard landing and fatal injuries.
The jumper’s parachute and related equipment were functioning as designed.
The discipline of Canopy Piloting requires a high level of proficiency and training due to the risk
quotient being greater as participants use smaller parachutes designed for speed and
performance.
At this time, Skydive Midwest is coordinating with authorities following this incident. The name of
the deceased is not being released pending confirmation that all members of family have been
informed.
Skydiving is a niche sport with a strong community of fellowship. The staff of Skydive Midwest
mourn the loss of a fellow jumper and offer condolences to the jumper’s family.
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