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Two experienced skydivers collided mid-air in Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, Southern California, and their parachutes got tangled and fell to the ground. He was still hospitalized and died. Police and FAA have launched an investigation.
According to The Press-Enterprise, SouthCalifornia On the 6th, two skydivers collided in mid-air over Lake Elsinore, Riverside County. Their parachutes got entangled with each other. After this he fell on the ground and was seriously injured. He died after being sent to the hospital. The co-owner of the local Skydive Elsinore skydiving center said the accident occurred above the facility.
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department received the call just before 11:50 a.m. that day and responded to the 20700 block of Cereal Street. After the ambulance team reached the spot, they gave first aid to two seriously injured people and then sent them to the hospital. County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Deirdre Vickers said both men were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Forensic department confirmed where both the deceased persons were fromIllinois Levi Pimentel, 29, of Aurora, and Georgia Jean, 56, of Box Elder, South Dakota.
Josh Hall, general manager and co-owner of Skydive Elsinore, said he witnessed the tragedy firsthand.
A total of 20 women with extensive skydiving experience jumped from the plane at an altitude of about 12,500 feet and were approaching the airport’s designated landing zone, Hall said. At the time of the accident, one of the skydivers was about 150 feet above the ground and was in final approach, gliding in a straight line in preparation for landing. At this point, another skydiver above him went down the final approach path, unaware of another skydiver below. After this both collided in the air and their parachutes got entangled with each other. Ultimately both fell on the ground next to the runway.
Hall said Skydive Elsinore hosts approximately 120,000 skydiving events each year. He explained: “The bottom line is that skydiving is a dangerous sport, but it can be done quite safely as long as safety measures are taken. Fatal accidents are very rare and, like many other activities, are often ultimately related to operational errors.”
According to the US Parachute Association, which tracks skydiving safety statistics, its members will make an estimated 3.47 million skydives in 2025, with 16 fatal accidents.
A spokesperson for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said the crash is currently being investigated by county police and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Summary FAQ
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The accident occurred above the Skydive Elsinore Skydiving Center in Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, Southern California. Two skydivers collided mid-air as they approached the designated landing zone, their parachutes became entangled, and they fell to the ground.
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The medical examiner identified the deceased as Levi Pimentel, a 29-year-old man from Aurora, Illinois, and Georgia Jean, a 56-year-old woman from Box Elder, South Dakota. He was declared dead when sent to the hospital.
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The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jointly investigated the case. Industry operators said that although skydiving is risky, it can generally be done safely. The tragedy is suspected to be related to operational errors, and fatal accidents are quite rare.
