Mid-air collision leaves 1 skydiver dead, 1 injured

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Saturday, May 27, 2006, 10:30 p.m. -- In one of the first fatalities in years, a skydiver died Saturday evening at the Greene County Sport Parachute Center after colliding in mid-air with another skydiver.

The accident took place shortly before dusk in what would have been the final jump of the day. According to PLG-TV 13 reports, the two skydivers became entangled during their descent.

The skydiver who died was suffering from chest injuries He was taken by Nelson County EMS to Flaget Memorial Hospital where he died about 10 p.m. The other skydiver, identified as a 33-year-old man, suffered a broken leg and other injuries. He was flown by helicopter to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.

The Nelson County Sheriff's Office, the Bardstown-Nelson County Fire Department and Nelson County EMS were called about 9 p.m. to the parachute center. Initial information from the scene indicated the skydivers needed to be rescued from some trees. When firefighters arrived, only a chainsaw was needed to cut through trees and brush.

Skydive Kentucky operates the Greene County Sport Parachute Center, located on the Old Airport Road about four miles west of Bardstown.