Double fatality at Skydive Dallas (2002)

[Kris 0]

I found this on Rec.Skydiving, posted by Carl Wright. Does anyone have any other info? I know several people at Skydive Dallas, and some who do CRW, so this has me worried.

Kris

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At approximately 8 pm (sunset load) Central Time a plane formation consisting of the Skydive Dallas Super Otter and Caravan dropped a 31 way formation. In addition to the big way load two jumpers exited the Caravan with the intent of doing crew. Witnesses reported to the management having spotted what looked like a jumper with two canopies deployed but not fully open in a high-speed spin drop out of sight beyond the horizon. Local medical individuals responded immediately to investigate, two individuals were found deceased. Early reports indicate two jumpers were entangled in parachutes; due to the high speed impact the landing was not a survival one.

No other information is available at this time; no names are being released until next of kin has been notified.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[sar911 0]

http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/082502dntexparachute.1d01d.html

[Viking 0]

Best wishs to the friends and family of these two jumpers.

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[Merrick 0]

Blue Skies!!! The families are in my prayers.

Merrick

[rgoper 0]

this is indeed a tragic event. my thoughts, and prayers go out to the families. blue skies.

--Richard--
"We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist"

[bbarnhouse 0]

My condolences to the families and friends.
Blue Skies, and I'll see you when I get there....

[mouth 0]

Best wishes to friends and family.

Lisa

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[jceman 1]

You're not alone, Kris.

I'll await the news of the individuals involved with bated breath, but my sympathies go to their families and friends regardless.

Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money.

Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them?

[freaksister 0]

I was at the dz last night. Only two people really saw what happened because the rest of us were watching the big way formation. I knew both jumpers and they were both kind, cool people. It was very disturbing and I am sure I am not the only one who had nightmares. Yes, it is part of the sport but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

Blue Skies to our lost friends.

[skybytch 273]

My condolences to all of their family and friends.

And a big hug to freaksis. Hang in there.

[skymut 0]

Condolences and prayers to the families and friends...

Matt
A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

[Jessica 0]

EDIT: I found a story. I'm posting this because at this point their families must have been notified, if they're being named.

Skydive Dallas will always be my home DZ. Blue skies to these two.

WHITEWRIGHT, Texas - Two skydivers killed when their parachutes became intertwined in a twilight jump over Northeast Texas were veteran jumpers with more than 200 jumps each to their credit, officials with their skydiving club said Sunday.

Brad Walk of Dallas and Jason Fitzsimmons of Richardson were killed when their parachutes became entangled about 6,000 feet above the ground in the accident Saturday, according to a statement issued by Skydive Dallas.

The accident happened about 50 miles northeast of Dallas near the Fannin-Grayson county line.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[freaksister 0]

OK then. Yes that is who it was. I took a canopy control course with Brad, and Jason was a sweetie. I never jumped with him though. It has been a shock to say the least. They flew our flags at half-mast today.

[rhino 0]

Damn.. That is horrible!! I am soooo sorry.. My prayers are with everyone..

Rob

[skycat 0]

Blue skies to Jason and Brad,

Skydive Dallas used to be our 2nd home. Both our hearts go out to everyone there.

Fly it like you stole it!

[Shark 0]

Very sad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends.

Crew skies,

M

[skymedic 0]

Blues brothers...my thoughts and my prayers go out to there familys...both at home and at the DZ.....

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[Zennie 0]

BSBD.

My condolences to the jumpers' families & friends. And condolences to all of you Skydive Dallas folks.

Does anybody know what kind of an entaglement this was? Was it a main/main entaglement or some type of reserve entaglement?

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[freaksister 0]

It was main/main.

[Shark 0]

Quote

Does anybody know what kind of an entaglement this was? Was it a main/main entaglement or some type of reserve entaglement?

Where they Lightnings or other crew canopies?

[freaksister 0]

I am pretty sure they weren't CRW canopies.

[harro 0]

Bloo Skies fella's.

2 Way to Heaven!!

Jumpy Jumpy??

[Jessica 0]

More information. Brad was a friend; I'm trying to figure out if I knew Jason. I'm so fucking sad.

WHITEWRIGHT, Texas (AP) — Two skydivers killed when their parachutes became intertwined in a twilight jump over Northeast Texas were veteran jumpers with more than 200 jumps each to their credit, officials with their skydiving club said Sunday.
Brad Walk of Dallas and Jason Fitzsimmons of Richardson were killed when their parachutes became entangled about 6,000 feet above the ground in the accident Saturday, according to a statement issued by Skydive Dallas.
The accident happened about 50 miles northeast of Dallas near the Fannin-Grayson county line.
The two jumped from a Cessna Caravan at about 13,500 feet and their chutes appeared to open normally at 11,000 feet, the club statement said. However, as they arranged their equipment, they drifted together and got their shrouds tangled at about 6,000 feet, the club said.
Both apparently were killed on impact with the ground, officials said.
Neither skydiver appeared to initiate emergency procedures or deploy a reserve parachute, the statement said, adding that it was unknown whether the men were conscious after the entanglement.
The statement said neither skydiver appeared to use their reserve chutes.
“They were really well-liked in the skydiving community. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones,” said Joe Rekart, the general manager of the Whitewright-based club.
Neighbors and friends who knew Fitzsimmons said skydiving was his main passion.
“He was a guy I kind of idolized,” Kevin Lerma, 24, a friend, said in Sunday's online edition of The Dallas Morning News. “There were many people who had passions and didn't follow through, but Jason followed through. He lived life without many regrets.”
Walk, an advertising copywriter for Square One and The Richards Group in Dallas, enjoyed skydiving, skiing and flying in helicopters, his father said.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[greenlightgirl 0]

My prayers and condolences to those left behind, friends and family alike.
May the 2 jumpers now have everlasting blue skies, no more pack jobs, and may their feet never touch the ground.
Blue skies and soft landings,
Allie

Alisha "Allie" Carsten

[DENGOPHER 0]

my best to the family and friends.. i hate to hear about things like this.. blue skies
just jump!!!!
gopher