An organized skydiving event in California ended in tragedy after two licensed skydivers collided mid-air during a jump.
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Josh Hall, the general manager and co-owner of Skydive Elsinore, told Southern California News Group the incident happened on Nov. 6. Hall explained that 20 seasoned female skydivers jumped from a plane at around 12,500 feet.
The jump was described as starting as "normal and uneventful" by Skydive Elsinore in a press release via PEOPLE, reporting that eyewitnesses said the skydivers' parachutes opened as planned. At just 150 feet above the ground, tragedy struck, with two skydivers colliding as they braced to land.
"The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground," Skydive Elsinore explained.
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department also confirmed they responded to the scene, describing "traumatic injuries involving two skydivers" at the incident at the 20700 Block of Cereal St. in Lake Elsinore. Riverside County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) deputies also responded. RCSO Lt. Deirdre Vickers told PEOPLE the victims were"on the ground receiving medical aid."
"Both patients suffered major injuries and were transported by ground ambulance for further care," Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department detailed.
The critically injured skydivers were rushed to a local hospital, according to Vickers. Despite these life-saving measures, the two skydivers were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Equipment Malfunction Allegedly Doesn't Appear To Be a Cause of Skydivers Colliding Mid-Air
Skydive Elsinore also confirmed the skydivers' deaths. The company added that equipment malfunction didn't appear to be a factor in the tragic incident. The company also wrote that the victims were "experienced, licensed skydivers" and came from out of town to participate in the "organized skydiving event."
Skydive Elsinore added that it "extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of both skydivers and is grieving alongside all those affected." The company also stated it's working alongside authorities as they investigate the incident.
Skydive Elsinore's Josh Hall went on to stress that skydiving can be done "very safely."
"The big thing is, skydiving is a dangerous sport that can be done very safely," Hall told the OC Register. "[Fatalities are] very rare, and like most things, it ends up being operator error."
As of this writing, the identities of the two skydivers have not been released.
