A 28-year-old skydiver died after a sudden gust of wind reportedly disrupted his parachute and sent him crashing to the ground in Massachusetts.
Emergency crews were called to Jumptown Skydiving in Orange at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, following reports of a serious accident, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators said Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam, of Boston, was about 30 feet above the ground when a “sudden and unexpected gust of wind” interfered with his parachute.
Gaddam fell to the ground and was rushed to Athol Hospital, where he later died.
Jumptown Skydiving said changing weather conditions appeared to be responsible for the deadly accident.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our facility and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the skydiver involved,” the company said in a statement to WBTS.
“A sudden and unpredictable weather event appears to have caused the incident, and we are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities as they conduct a thorough review. Out of respect for the investigative process and those affected, we will not comment further while the review is ongoing.”
The company added that the safety of its customers, employees and fellow skydivers remains its highest priority.
The accident is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Orange Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine Gaddam’s official cause and manner of death.
The tragedy is not the first fatal incident connected to Jumptown Skydiving.
In October, 62-year-old Robert Szabo of Connecticut died three days after colliding with another skydiver in midair over Orange, according to WBZ.
Jumptown said at the time that the two men were experienced skydivers and that the injured jumper landed on airport property beneath a fully functioning parachute.
Szabo had earned his skydiving license in 2001 and completed more than 5,000 jumps around the world, including in Costa Rica, Dubai, the Maldives and South Africa, according to his obituary.