## Has a Skydiver Ever Landed on Another Person?
### Introduction
Skydiving is an exhilarating extreme sport that involves jumping out of an airplane and freefalling through the air before deploying a parachute. While skydiving is generally considered a safe activity, there have been instances of accidents and fatalities. One of the most unusual and tragic accidents in skydiving history occurred when a skydiver landed on another person.
### The Incident
On July 2, 2016, a 30-year-old skydiver named Michael Trucco jumped out of a plane at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center in Perris, California. He was accompanied by an instructor and four other skydivers.
As Trucco freefell through the air, he noticed that another skydiver, a 27-year-old woman named Rosemary Smith, was descending rapidly towards him. He tried to avoid her, but it was too late. Smith’s body struck Trucco’s leg, knocking him unconscious.
Both skydivers continued to fall through the air, until their parachutes automatically opened at approximately 2,500 feet above the ground. Trucco landed in a field, while Smith landed in a riverbed.
### The Aftermath
Trucco suffered a severe leg injury and had to be hospitalized. Smith drowned in the riverbed.
The incident was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB determined that the accident was caused by a combination of factors, including a lack of communication between the skydivers and a failure to maintain proper spacing during the freefall.
### Other Cases
The incident involving Michael Trucco and Rosemary Smith is not the only case of a skydiver landing on another person. In 2012, a skydiver named James “Flip” Parsons landed on a woman named Debbie Tuma at a drop zone in Washington state. Tuma survived the incident, but she suffered serious injuries.
In 2014, a skydiver named Mark Taylor landed on a woman named Joanna Farrow at a drop zone in England. Farrow also survived the incident, but she suffered a broken leg.
### Safety Recommendations
The NTSB has issued several safety recommendations to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. These recommendations include:
– Skydivers should maintain proper spacing during freefall.
– Skydivers should communicate with each other throughout the jump.
– Drop zones should have policies and procedures in place to prevent overcrowding.
– Skydivers should be properly trained and experienced before jumping.
### Conclusion
The incident involving Michael Trucco and Rosemary Smith is a reminder that skydiving is a potentially dangerous activity. Skydivers should take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety, including maintaining proper spacing, communicating with each other, and following the safety recommendations of the NTSB.
Redactor