Two veteran skydivers collision death accidents occurred in Southern California when two experienced divers collided in mid-air while training to break a state record, resulting in a fatal tragedy.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the incident took place on the morning of the 6th near the Skydive Elsinore facility in Lake Elsinore. Two female skydivers participating in a group training session fell and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The identities of the two deceased skydivers were confirmed as Georgia Gin, 56, of South Dakota, and Levi Pimentel, 29, of Illinois. Gin was noted as a veteran diver with more than 1,700 lifetime jumps, making the loss particularly heartbreaking.
Attempting a State Record for Upright Formations
The group had traveled from out of state to train for a new California record for the largest female upright-orientation formation. The ‘upright’ technique is a high-difficulty maneuver flown in a seated position in the air. The previous record stood at a 12-person formation, and the team was attempting to set a new record with a 19-person formation.
The accident occurred during a group skydiving event at Skydive Elsinore as the members were preparing to land after deploying their parachutes. The team members jumped from the aircraft, linked hands, and enjoyed a peaceful first minute of freefall.
Parachutes Entangle at 150 Feet
However, tragedy struck shortly after the parachutes were deployed. While the freefall and parachute deployment themselves occurred normally, the two individuals drifted too close to each other at about 150 feet in the air, causing their open parachutes to entangle and sending them plummeting to the ground.
The Riverside County Fire Department rushed to the scene, and paramedics attempted emergency treatment and life-saving measures, but both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene. Field investigations revealed no signs of equipment malfunction.
Federal authorities and police are conducting a detailed investigation into the exact cause of the accident based on eyewitness statements and on-site forensics.
Meanwhile, the Lake Elsinore area has seen a series of safety accidents, including an incident in March 2023 where a solo female skydiver struck high-voltage power lines, and another accident this past May in the Perris area that resulted in one death and one injury.
