SKYDIVER DIES AFTER UNEXPECTED GUST OF WIND MESSES WITH HIS PARACHUTE

PEOPLE

 

Skydiver, 28, Dies After ‘Unexpected Gust of Wind’ Messes with His Parachute, Causing Him to Plummet to the Ground

By Paloma Chavez  Published on July 14, 2026 03:33PM EDT

 

A 28-year-old skydiver died after falling to the ground in Massachusetts, officials said.

 

On Sunday, July 12, around 4 p.m. local time, first responders were dispatched to Jumptown Skydiving in Orange after getting reports of a serious accident, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

 

An investigation revealed that Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam, of Boston, fell to the ground from about 30 feet after a “sudden and unexpected gust of wind” interfered with his parachute, the department said. He was sent to Athol Hospital, where he eventually died.

 

In a statement provided to local NBC station WBTS, the skydiving company said that the cause of the incident was because of fluctuating weather conditions.

 

“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our facility and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the skydiver involved,” the statement read. “A sudden and unpredictable weather event appears to have caused the incident, and we are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities as they conduct a thorough review. Out of respect for the investigative process and those affected, we will not comment further while the review is ongoing.”

 

“The safety of our customers, staff, and fellow skydivers remains our highest priority,” the company continued.

 

The district attorney’s office said the accident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Orange Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration.

 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine Gaddam’s cause and manner of death, officials said.

 

However, his death isn’t the first involving Jumptown Skydiving.

 

In October, 62-year-old Robert Szabo of Connecticut died three days after colliding with another skydiver midair over Orange, according to local CBS station WBZ.

 

“On the afternoon of October 4, there was a midair collision between two experienced skydivers,” Jumptown said in a statement to WBZ. “The injured jumper landed on airport property under a fully functioning parachute.”

 

Since earning his skydiving license in 2001, Szabo had completed more than 5,000 jumps around the world, including in destinations such as Costa Rica, Dubai, the Maldives and South Africa, according to his obituary.

 

Jumptown Skydiving, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comments on Tuesday, July 14.