SFL-2025-045 · Cause: Freefall collision
Partially verified Facts as reported in the sources below. This is not an official investigation.
Incident
- Date
- 04.10.2025
- Date of death
- 07.10.2025
- Country
- USA
- Drop zone
- Jumptown
- Place
- Orange, Massachusetts
- Phase
- Freefall
Jumper
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 62
- Total jumps
- 5,300
- Years in sport
- 44
Cause
- Category
- Freefall collision
What happened
5-way formation jump from 14,000 ft. At breakoff, with only about 10 ft of vertical separation, he drifted into another jumper and struck their hip with his head and neck. Unconscious, his reserve opened very low. He suffered a broken neck and died in hospital after life support was withdrawn.
Lessons for safety
Breakoff needs clear horizontal and vertical separation. Track flat and away.
Sources
- www.kellycremation.com Other, Obituary
- www.uspa.org Federation, USPA 2025 fatality summary, case #11 (anonymous)
Is something wrong or missing? Send a correction and mention SFL-2025-045.