TWO EXPERIENCED FEMALE SKYDIVERS KILLED IN HORRIFIC MID-AIR COLLISION DURING RECORD-SETTING TRAINING IN CALIFORNIA

What was supposed to be an extraordinary gathering of female skydivers ended in tᩚraɢedy when two experienced women died after their parachutes became tangled during a training jump in Southern California.

The victims were identified as Levi Pimentel, 29, of Aurora, Illinois, and Georgia Jean, 56, of Box Elder, South Dakota.

The fatal accident happened around 11:45 a.m. on Friday, November 6, at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, California. The women were among a group of approximately 20 female skydivers taking part in an organized event aimed at setting a new California record for the largest women’s upright formation.

A ROUTINE JUMP TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE

According to Skydive Elsinore, the free-fall portion of the jump was reported to have gone normally. Both women deployed their parachutes at the expected altitude.

But as they descended toward the landing area, the two skydivers collided approximately 150 feet above the ground.

The impact caused their parachutes to become entangled, leaving both women unable to complete a safe landing.

They suffered ᑕriᩚtiᩚcal injuries and were rushed by ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center in nearby Wildomar. Both were later pronounced dead.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed their identities after the tᩚraɢedy.

TWO WOMEN WITH YEARS OF SKYDIVING EXPERIENCE

Both victims were licensed and experienced skydivers who had traveled from out of town to participate in the organized event.

Georgia Jean had been skydiving since 2015 and had completed more than 1,700 jumps, according to her biography. She also earned a bronze medal at the 2024 U.S. Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships.

Levi Pimentel was a lead instructor at iFLY Naperville, an indoor skydiving facility in Illinois. She had more than 600 jumps and was involved in competitive skydiving. She had also helped set a women’s head-down world record in 2022.

Their experience makes the sudden loss particularly devastating for the skydiving community.

THEY WERE TRAINING FOR A RECORD-BREAKING FORMATION

The women were reportedly preparing for an attempt to establish a new California record for the largest women’s upright skydiving formation.

In this type of formation, skydivers connect during free fall while maintaining an upright, seated-like body position.

The training brought together women who shared a passion for the sport and the ambition to accomplish something extraordinary.

Instead, the event became the scene of an unimaginable loss.

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE THE diᩚadℓy COLLISION

Skydive Elsinore said there was no indication of equipment malfunction. The company also expressed its condolences to the families, friends and fellow skydivers affected by the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and will collect the parachutes for further inspection as part of the investigation.

Authorities have not announced a final explanation for what caused the collision. Whether other factors contributed to the accident remains under investigation.

Two women who had dedicated years to the sport they loved are now being mourned by their families and fellow skydivers.

Their final jump was not the ending anyone expected. Their skill, experience and passion for flying will be remembered by the community they were part of.

May Levi Pimentel and Georgia Jean rest in peace.