Skydivers killed in horror mid-air collision identified as victim’s haunting ‘death wish’ post resurfaces
Skydivers that were killed in a mid-air collision when two parachutes became entangled as they fell to the ground have been identified.
The pair were falling over the city of Lake Elsinore in Southern California when disaster struck on Friday (6 November).
Officials confirmed that the experienced skydivers suffered catastrophic injuries after they collided with one another during the jump.
They were both at the end of their jump when they collided and their parachutes became entangled shortly before noon, according to Skydive Elsinore.
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The pair were described as being in a 'critical condition' following the fall but both were later pronounced dead in hospital, Lt. Deirdre Vickers, of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said over the weekend.
Skydivers identified after tragic fall
Georgia Jean, 56, from South Dakota, and Levi Pimentel, 29, from Illinois, have both been identified as the skydivers who were killed in the horror incident.
Jean, who was a former comedian, shared a resurfaced post more than a decade ago which appeared to foreshadow the tragedy as she touched on her nervous start to skydiving.
She referenced a 'deathwish time-bomb' after revealing she failed in training three times before an instructor told her she wouldn't be able to partake in the sport.
“Whether my instructor was right or not about limitations my body/mind had… I was able to overcome them, AND the incredible fear that I might be a ‘deathwish time bomb’ just waiting to go off,” she wrote in the post, according to the New York Post.
On her Facebook page she also regularly posted videos of herself taking part in various skydiving events including with the Women's Upright World Record Training Camp.
And according so social media, fellow skydiver Levi Pimentel was a professional who served as lead instructor at iFLY Naperville, an indoor skydiving facility in Illinois.
The 29-year-old described herself on Facebook in her bio as 'the optimist' and 'the hoper of farflung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams.'
Skydive centre issues statement
Both of them were visiting the area and made the jump together according to Skydive Elsinore. The collision happened near to the skydive centre, who said there was no indication their equipment had malfunctioned.
General manager and co-owner Josh Hall told reporters the incident occurred when a group of 20 experienced female skydivers was jumping from a plane at about 12,500 feet.
Skydive Elsinore issued a statement following the tragedy which read: "On Friday, November 6th, two licensed skydivers were fatally injured after colliding with one another while descending under open parachutes at Skydive Elsinore.
"Eyewitnesses report that the freefall portion of the jump was normal and uneventful, and that both skydivers opened their parachutes at the expected altitude.
"As they prepared to land, the two skydivers collided at approximately 150 feet above the ground. The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground.
"Skydive Elsinore staff and emergency services responded immediately. Both were transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. There is no indication of any equipment malfunction.
"Both were experienced, licensed skydivers visiting from out of town to take part in an organized skydiving event at Skydive Elsinore. Their identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Skydive Elsinore is cooperating fully with local authorities.
"Skydive Elsinore extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of both skydivers, and is grieving alongside all those affected."
Topics: US News
James Holt
