Grandfather dies in skydiving accident at TN high school football game, officials say
A skydiver has died after he was injured in a jump at a Tennessee high school football game, officials said.
The man experienced a “hard landing outside of the intended landing area” while doing a “demonstration jump” at David Crockett High School’s football stadium in Jonesborough before a game against Daniel Boone High School on the evening of Friday, Oct. 21, according to a skydiving company and school officials.
The man, whose name has not been released, was flown to a hospital and later died from his injuries, WCYB reported.
Game attendees participated in a moment of silence after the skydiver was taken to the hospital before officials decided to move forward with the game, according to WJHL.
Jerry Boyd, superintendent of Washington County Schools, said in a statement to McClatchy News on Sunday, Oct. 23, that “David Crockett High School, Daniel Boone High School, and the rest of the Washington County Schools community” are “saddened by the tragic incident.”
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the injured skydiver that has passed away,” Boyd said in the statement. “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.”
Boyd said mental health professionals will be available to students and staff on Monday, Oct. 24.
The man worked with the skydiving company Jump TN, WVLT reported.
Jump TN told McClatchy News in a statement that the 55-year-old was a “highly experienced” and well-respected skydiver with “more than 1,500 jumps to his credit.”
The company said that witnesses did not report seeing anything unusual about the jump and that the man’s parachute deployed without any issues.
“The entire skydiving community is saddened by the sudden loss of a wonderful member of their community. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” Jump TN said.
No other information about the incident had been released as of Sunday, Oct. 23.
Jonesborough is in eastern Tennessee, about 90 miles northeast of Knoxville.
This story was originally published October 23, 2022 at 11:29 AM with the headline "Grandfather dies in skydiving accident at TN high school football game, officials say."
