In brief
A midair collision at about 45 meters over Lake Elsinore claimed two lives, as eyewitnesses and authorities report. The accident occurred during a women’s training camp, and both skydivers were taken to a hospital where they later died. Investigations are underway by local police and the Skydive Elsinore organization.
Two skydivers died Friday after colliding in midair near Lake Elsinore in California, an incident that local witnesses and officials say occurred at an altitude of about 45 meters (148 feet) during a training session.
According to the Anadolu Agency, the collision entangled the parachutes of both skydivers, which forced them to hit the ground. Both individuals were rushed to a nearby hospital but died despite medical intervention.
Deirdre Vickers, a spokesperson for the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, confirmed the incident was under investigation. She said the authorities were looking into the circumstances of the collision and the training program in which the skydivers were participating.
A spokesperson for Skydive Elsinore reported that the accident took place during a women’s training camp organized by the company. The skydiving center stated the operation was normal at the time and that they were cooperating fully with investigators.
Witnesses at the scene, as reported by KTLA, said the skydivers were just above the ground as they approached the landing zone when the collision occurred, and that the parachutes immediately tangle, causing the fatal impact. The eyewitness testimony is being reviewed by law enforcement as part of the ongoing investigation.
Both skydiving companies and the sheriff’s office are working to determine whether any equipment failure or procedural error contributed to the accident. As of now, no official cause has been released, and the incident remains a tragedy for the involved families and the local skydiving community.
