Skydiving is a thrilling opportunity for those who are not faint of heart and possibly a form of therapy for those looking to conquer a fear of heights. Over the last few decades, activities such as skydiving and base jumping requiring a parachute have increased in both popularity and safety. While they do occur, fatal skydiving accidents are a rare occurrence.
According to the United States Parachute Association, there were approximately 3.3 million jumps. Only 15 people were killed in accidents during these jumps. Tandem skydiving, where a student jumps with an instructor, has an even better safety record. Tandem jumps show a fatality rate of only 1 fatality for every half a million jumps.
The Newnan Times-Herald reports that a graduate of Northgate has been killed in a skydiving accident.
The incident occurred on Sunday while a Newnan teenager was on a tandem jump with an instructor from Skydive Atlanta.
The 18-year-old student was jumping with instructor Nick Esposito, 35, of Warner Robbins. The jump took place near the Thomaston-Upson County Airport.
Along with the student, the instructor also died in the jump. According to police, the primary parachute failed to open. The backup parachute did not have time to fully deploy before the pair landed.
The teen was a graduate of Northgate High School where she was captain of the color guard. She had a bright vision for the future and was planning on studying education at the University of North Georgia.
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