Tragic news out of Tennessee as a skydiver has died after he took a hard landing during a pregame jump at a high school football stadium on Friday.
Per The Associated Press, Washington County Schools Superintendent Jerry Boyd released a statement that explained the diver jumped at the David Crockett High School football stadium in Jonesborough, Tennessee before a game against Daniel Boone High School.
“On behalf of David Crockett High School, Daniel Boone High School, and the rest of the Washington County Schools community, we are saddened by the tragic incident that occurred prior to the start of tonight’s football game at the David Crockett High School football stadium,” Boyd said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the injured skydiver that has passed away. We ask that everyone keep the family in their thoughts and prayers as they deal with the loss of a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.”
Jump TN, a Greenville company, released its own statement about the 55-year-old man who worked for the company and had performed over 1,500 jumps over the years.
Describing it as a “hard landing outside of the intended landing area,” Jump TN said witnesses did not notice anything unusual about the free fall or his parachute, which they say was deployed “without incident.” They added that witnesses “didn’t notice anything unusual about the parachute’s performance that would indicate any abnormality or malfunction” in their statement.
However, footage from Tri-Cities area station WJHL showed the diver spinning in the air while he fell, with screams from onlookers heard in the background.
The skydiver was taken to a hospital and a moment of silence was held before the game began. While it was briefly delayed, the game was played to “try to introduce some sense of normal,” according to Boyd.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.