A 73-year-old skydiver has died after his parachute failed to fully deploy at 14,000ft – in the same town that saw a deadly hot air balloon crash just three weeks ago.
Terry Gardner, a highly experienced jumper, died on Wednesday when his chute got caught during the formation stunt with his friends above Eloy, Arizona.
He was rushed to hospital with horrific injuries, but later died – while his three pals survived their jumps after landing safely.
It comes less than a month after four people were killed in a shocking hot air balloon crash that had taken off from the town.
Terry Gardner, 73, died Wednesday after he experienced an issue with his parachute during a jump from 14,000 feet
Four passengers and a pilot were on board at the time of the accident
Scene of deadly hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona last month
In a statement, Skydive Arizona – the adventure company Gardner was jumping with – said that the jumper ‘did not deploy the reserve parachute.’
‘The skydiver was jumping with parachute gear owned and maintained by the jumper and weather conditions were clear and calm,’ they added.
Gardner, who lived about 15 miles away from the jump site, was making his third run of the day alongside three fellow experienced skydivers at about noon.
The jumpers intended to complete a formation jump, which police said they were ‘unable to complete,’ though ‘it is not believed that this contributed to the accident.’
The three other jumpers landed safely, but Gardner was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
‘Eloy Fire personnel swiftly administered life-saving measures and rushed Terry to the Casa Grande Banner hospital.
‘Despite their efforts, he tragically succumbed to his injuries,’ said the Eloy Fire Department.
Local police said: ‘Our thoughts and condolences are with all those who knew and loved Terry Gardner during this challenging time.’
Skydive Arizona said Gardner was a ‘highly experienced skydiver with several thousands of jumps.’
‘An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the accident and no further statements will be made until the results of the investigation have been released,’ said the company.
Officials with the FAA have said the agency will investigate how Gardner’s parachute was packed, in addition to flight rules for the pilot and aircraft.
Gardner’s tragic end came just three weeks after the January 14 crash of a hot air balloon in the Eloy Desert that killed four people and left another critically injured.
That crash remains under investigation. Federal investigators say that an ‘unspecified problem’ with the balloon’s ‘envelope’ – the part of the balloon that fills with hot air to make it rise – may have led to the fatal incident.
The fifth victim, Valerie Stutterheim, who was left in critical condition, is facing a very long road to recovery, according to her parents
Eight jumpers had already launched from the hot air balloon and safely made their descent
The skydivers on board planned to leap from the balloon and land in Eloy Municipal Airport, according to Eloy Police Chief Byron Gwaltney
Witness videos showed the balloon descending with a deflated envelope trailing above it.
Chayton Wiescholek, 28, Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, Atahan Kiliccote, 24, and pilot Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, originally from South Africa, all died in the Eloy, Arizona tragedy.
The fifth victim, Valerie Stutterheim, is facing a very long road to recovery, according to her parents.
The 23-year-old Scottsdale resident suffered a traumatic brain injury and ‘cannot currently speak’ to her parents.
She has also undergone surgeries for several broken bones, though ‘her ability to walk and otherwise move is uncertain.’
Police said the hot air balloon crashed into the desert around five miles north of the city of Eloy at around 7.50am. Thirteen people – eight skydivers, four passengers and a pilot – had been in the balloon, according to Mayor Micah Powell.
