May 29 (UPI) — A member of the Navy’s elite skydiving team died Sunday when his parachute failed to open during a demonstration jump over the Hudson River in New Jersey, the Navy said.
The fall happened when the Leap Frogs conducted a jump into Jersey City’s Liberty State Park in celebration of Navy Fleet Week activities for New York Harbor, Rear Admiral John C. “Jack” Scorby Jr. said at a news conference.
The parachute of the SEAL failed to open properly and he landed in the water near the state park, Scorby said. The SEAL, whose identity was not immediately released, was rushed to Jersey City Medical Center, where he died from his injuries around 1 p.m., according to officials.
“Our hearts and our prayers go out to his family and I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today,” Scorby said. “The cause of the mishap is under investigation and his next of kin are being notified at this time.”
Fleet Week is an annual weeklong celebration that concludes Tuesday. People in the New York metropolitan area can meet “Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services,” according to its webpage.
