Skydiver Dies After Mid-Air Collision Over Perris

A Russian man who collided with another skydiver during a multi-person jump today in Perris died of his injuries.

The man, in his 30s, was in cardiac arrest when airlifted to a trauma center, where he died, according to Dan Chenfeld of Perris Valley Skydiving.

The collision occurred 40 to 50 feet above the ground as the victim was trying to land, according to Dan Chenfeld of Perris Valley Skydiving. Paramedics were sent about 9:15 a.m. to the accident scene near 2091 Goetz Road, according to Cal Fire’s Cheri Patterson.

Chenfeld said the man was an experienced skydiver who was one of a group of 30 who jumped out of two planes.

“The most important skill in skydiving is awareness,” Chenfeld told City News Service. “He must have lost sight of a few people.”

The man, described as an experienced skydiver, was airlifted to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley in critical condition, accompanied by his wife. His name was not immediately released.

According to Dan Cook, another employee at the skydiving center, the victim was attending a two-week training camp for experienced skydivers who want tips on making multi-person jumps.

People from 29 countries are attending the camp, said Chenfeld.

Next weekend, there will be two jumps of 100 divers each, Cook said.