Two experienced skydivers die following a tragic midair collision on Friday at Skydive Elsinore in California. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department responded to the incident after an air emergency was reported during an organized skydiving event. Both victims were visiting the area from out of town to participate in the gathering.
California Skydiving Accident Details
The fatal incident unfolded during an organized skydiving event hosted by Skydive Elsinore, recognized as the longest-running skydiving operation in North America. Located about an hour away from both the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas, the facility welcomed visiting jumpers from across the country for the weekend.
According to official statements from the company, the initial phases of the jump proceeded without incident. The free-fall portion of the dive and the subsequent opening of the parachutes occurred completely normally. The emergency arose as the jumpers were preparing for their final descent.
Midair Collision at 150 Feet
Investigators and company officials noted that the fatal sequence began close to the ground. As the two participants maneuvered for landing, they collided midair at approximately 150 feet above the terrain.
- Collision altitude: Approximately 150 feet above the ground
- Parachute status: Equipment deployed normally, but canopies became entangled
- Response time: Riverside County Sheriff's deputies dispatched late Friday morning
- Hospital transport: Both victims rushed to a local hospital with critical injuries
The impact caused their canopies to become entangled. Skydive Elsinore explicitly stated there was no evidence of equipment malfunction during the jump, pointing entirely to the midair entanglement as the cause of the rapid descent and subsequent critical impact.
Victims Identified by Authorities
The Riverside County coroner's office formally identified the two women involved in the Friday tragedy. The victims were 29-year-old Levi Pimentel of Aurora, Illinois, and 56-year-old Georgia Jean of Box Elder, South Dakota.
Emergency personnel transported both licensed, experienced skydivers to a local hospital following the accident. Despite life-saving efforts at the medical facility, both women were pronounced dead from their critical injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims of the California skydiving accident?
The Riverside County coroner's office identified the victims as 29-year-old Levi Pimentel of Aurora, Illinois, and 56-year-old Georgia Jean of Box Elder, South Dakota.
Where did the midair collision take place?
The accident occurred at Skydive Elsinore, located in California approximately one hour away from both the San Diego and Los Angeles metropolitan areas.
What caused the fatal injuries to the skydivers?
Skydive Elsinore reported that the two licensed skydivers collided midair at about 150 feet above the ground, causing their parachutes to become entangled before they reached the ground and sustained critical injuries.