Two experienced skydivers died Friday after colliding in midair during an organized jump at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, California. Their parachutes became entangled at roughly 150 feet above the ground, causing both to fall and suffer critical injuries. Georgia Jean, 56, and Levi Pimentel, 29, were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
| 1) | Collision during an organized dive |
| 2) | Parachutes become entangled near the ground |
| 3) | Emergency response and hospital deaths |
| 4) | Background of the two licensed skydivers |
| 5) | Federal investigation into the incident |
Collision during an organized dive
Georgia Jean of Box Elder, South Dakota, and Levi Pimentel of Aurora, Illinois, were participating in an organized skydiving operation at Skydive Elsinore on Friday. The jump took place around noon at the facility in Lake Elsinore, a Southern California city about 75 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Both participants were licensed skydivers, and the facility said the freefall portion of the jump proceeded normally. The parachutes also opened as expected before the two skydivers collided. The available account does not identify what caused them to converge in the air or provide further details about the formation or flight path.
Parachutes become entangled near the ground
The collision occurred when the skydivers were approximately 150 feet above the ground. According to the facility, the impact caused their parachutes to become entangled, leaving both unable to complete a safe landing.
“The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground.”
The fall followed the parachute entanglement, and both skydivers sustained traumatic injuries on reaching the ground. No additional details about the equipment, landing area or precise sequence of the collision were provided.
Emergency response and hospital deaths
Emergency personnel responded to the incident at Skydive Elsinore. The Riverside County Fire Department said Jean and Pimentel were transported by ambulance to a hospital after suffering traumatic injuries.
Both were pronounced dead at the hospital. The deaths followed the collision and ground impact, rather than occurring at the jump site, according to the reported emergency response. The incident involved two participants, and no other injuries were reported in the available information.
Background of the two licensed skydivers
Jean was 56 and had completed more than 1,700 jumps, according to information attributed to her website. The experience record indicates extensive participation in the sport, although officials have not said whether it played a role in the incident.
Pimentel, 29, was identified as a lead skydiving instructor at iFLY Naperville in Illinois. Both skydivers were described as licensed, reinforcing that the fatal collision occurred during a jump involving experienced participants. Their professional and personal backgrounds remain separate from the ongoing investigation into what happened in the air.
Federal investigation into the incident
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the collision. The agency’s review is expected to examine the circumstances of the organized dive, the midair convergence, the parachute entanglement and the subsequent fall.
The available information does not state whether the investigation has reached any preliminary conclusion or whether other agencies are conducting separate reviews. Further findings may clarify how the skydivers collided at low altitude and whether any operational or equipment factors contributed to the deaths.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two licensed skydivers died after a midair collision in Lake Elsinore, California. |
| 2 | The collision occurred at about 150 feet after the parachutes had opened. |
| 3 | The parachutes became entangled, and both skydivers suffered critical injuries during the fall. |
| 4 | Both victims were taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead. |
| 5 | The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. |
Summary
The deaths of Georgia Jean and Levi Pimentel followed a midair collision during an organized skydive at Skydive Elsinore. The parachute entanglement occurred at low altitude after a normal freefall and parachute opening, leaving insufficient information to determine the cause. A federal investigation is underway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Skydive Elsinore?
Two licensed skydivers collided in midair at about 150 feet during an organized jump, causing their parachutes to become entangled.
Who died in the incident?
Georgia Jean, 56, of Box Elder, South Dakota, and Levi Pimentel, 29, of Aurora, Illinois, died after being injured in the fall.
Who is investigating the deaths?
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the circumstances of the collision and the resulting parachute entanglement.
