Skydiver critical after 'hard fall' in DeLand
DELAND, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A 21-years-old female skydiver was critically injured in a hard fall near Skydive DeLand at the DeLand Municipal Airport, authorities say.
DeLand Police and Fire responded about 5:34 p.m. Wednesday after the female, now identified as Samantha Smith, landed hard west of Skydive DeLand. Volusia County Fire Services also assisted in the response and Smith was transported by helicopter to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
As of Thursday morning, Smith is in critical but stable condition.
Witnesses on scene reportedly told police that Smith's parachute was fully deployed before she attempted to make a turn and was unable to fully stabilize herself before hitting a gravel walkway.
The initial investigations by police revealed that there may have been an issue with the parachute.
The City of Deland previously reported that the victim was 21-years-old.