TWO EXPERIENCED SKYDIVERS, 56 AND 29, DIE IN HORRIFIC MID-AIR COLLISION AFTER PARACHUTES BECOME TANGLED OVER CALIFORNIA

Two experienced female skydivers have died after a horrifying mid-air collision sent them plunging to the ground during an organized skydiving event in Southern California.

The victims have been identified as Georgia Jean, 56, from Box Elder, South Dakota, and Levi Pimentel, 29, from Aurora, Illinois.

The tragedy happened shortly before noon on Friday, November 6, over Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, Riverside County. Both women were participating in a group jump when their parachutes became entangled approximately 150 feet above the ground.

Despite being rushed to hospital with critical injuries, neither woman survived.

HOW THE TRAGIC COLLISION UNFOLDED

According to Skydive Elsinore, around 20 licensed and experienced skydivers took part in the organized event.

The group departed from an aircraft at approximately 12,500 feet. The initial freefall reportedly proceeded normally, and both women deployed their parachutes at the expected altitude.

However, tragedy struck as the skydivers approached the landing area.

Witnesses reported that Georgia and Levi collided approximately 150 feet above the ground. The impact caused their parachutes to become tangled, leaving both women unable to land safely.

Josh Hall, manager and co-owner of Skydive Elsinore, said both women sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground.

Emergency crews responded to reports of an air emergency at approximately 11:45 a.m. and transported the injured skydivers to Inland Valley Medical Center in nearby Wildomar.

According to coroner’s records, Georgia was pronounced dead at 12:26 p.m., followed by Levi at 12:29 p.m.

No other injuries were reported.

WHO WERE THE TWO WOMEN?

Georgia Jean, 56, was from South Dakota and had built a life around adventure, personal growth and skydiving.

She reportedly began skydiving in 2015 and had completed more than 1,700 jumps over the years.

A former comedian and self-described mystic, Georgia also explored competitive skydiving. In 2024, she won a bronze medal in the intermediate mixed formation skydiving event at the United States Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships as part of the team First Froth.

Her passion for the sport was reflected in a blog post written years earlier, in which she discussed overcoming her fears and the challenges she faced while learning to skydive.

Georgia had previously written that she failed the first level of skydiving training three times and recalled being told by an instructor that she might not be suited to the sport.

But she continued working through those difficulties and eventually became an experienced skydiver.

Levi Pimentel, 29, was also an accomplished skydiver who had dedicated years to the sport.

Originally from Aurora, Illinois, she worked as a lead instructor at iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Naperville. Her professional experience included training and teaching others in indoor skydiving.

Reports indicate that Levi had completed more than 600 skydives and had been involved in competitive skydiving achievements, including a women’s head-down formation world record in 2022.

The two women knew each other before the accident and shared an interest in skydiving events and training.

THEY WERE TRAINING FOR AN AMBITIOUS RECORD ATTEMPT

Further reporting by the Los Angeles Times revealed that the women were reportedly part of a group preparing for an attempt to establish a new California record for the largest women’s upright skydiving formation.

The formation involves participants positioning themselves upright in the air, appearing almost as though they are sitting while falling through the sky.

Professional skydiver Chazi Rutz, who was also involved in the training group, described the jump and said the early portion of the freefall had been uneventful.

The tragedy occurred after the parachutes were deployed, during the final stage of the jump.

The planned record attempt highlights the experience and preparation involved in the event. Both women were licensed skydivers who had travelled from out of town to participate.

COMPANY SAYS THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF EQUIPMENT FAILURE

Following the accident, Skydive Elsinore released a statement expressing its condolences to the families and everyone affected.

The company said there was no indication of mechanical failure or reported irregularities with either skydiver’s equipment.

Both parachutes reportedly opened at the expected altitude before the collision occurred.

Powerful winds were present in the region that day, but authorities have not established whether weather conditions played any role in the accident.

The company said it was cooperating with investigators.

“Skydive Elsinore extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of both skydivers, and is grieving alongside all those affected,” Josh Hall said.

FAA INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified following the fatal incident and is expected to collect the parachutes for further examination.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

At this stage, authorities have not announced a final determination of what caused the collision or whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.

The absence of an apparent equipment malfunction does not, by itself, establish what went wrong. Investigators will need to examine the available evidence before reaching conclusions.

TWO LIVES LOST IN A TRAGEDY THAT HAS SHOCKED THE SKYDIVING COMMUNITY

Georgia and Levi were at different stages of life, but both shared a passion for a sport that had brought them together.

Georgia had spent more than a decade pursuing skydiving, overcoming early difficulties and earning recognition in competition. Levi had built a career helping others experience the sport as an instructor.

They travelled to California for an organized event, expecting another day in the sky.

Instead, their final jump ended in a tragedy that has left their families, friends and fellow skydivers mourning two lives lost far too soon.

As the investigation continues, those who knew them are left remembering their dedication, their achievements and the passion they shared.

May Georgia Jean and Levi Pimentel rest in peace.