Tandem skydivers lose control of parachute, plunge to the ground, Wisconsin cops say

Tandem skydivers “lost control” of their parachute while they were up about 20 to 30 feet and plunged to the ground, according to Wisconsin authorities.

The Racine County Sheriff’s Office was called to Yorkville at about 1:43 p.m. Sunday, June 19, according to a news release.

Authorities say a 28-year-old woman, of Racine, and a 49-year-old woman, of Chicago, crashed after they lost control of the deployed parachute while tandem skydiving with Skydive Midwest.

They were found with life-threatening injuries and flown to area trauma centers, according to the news release.

Updated conditions have not been made available for either woman.

“First and foremost, we’re very concerned for both the instructor and the student, and our thoughts are with them and their families right now,” a Skydive Midwest spokesperson told McClatchy News. She said the incident is under investigation.

Skydivers who tandem dive with an instructor exit the plane from 14,500 feet up, according to the company’s website.

“You’ll spend up to 60 seconds in freefall, reaching speeds of 120+ miles per hour as you fall back towards earth,” Skydive Midwest says. “Once the parachute is deployed, enjoy a 5-7 minute ride with views of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee and Chicago skylines. If conditions are right, you’ll even be given the opportunity to steer the parachute.”

Skydive Midwest is based in Sturtevant, about 8 miles southeast of Yorkville and 30 miles south of Milwaukee.

This story was originally published June 20, 2022 at 12:08 PM with the headline "Tandem skydivers lose control of parachute, plunge to the ground, Wisconsin cops say."