Timothy Joseph Slachta: Expert skydiver with 700 jumps to his credit dies after falling from plane in New Jersey
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY: An expert Pennsylvania skydiver plunged to death on a New Jersey street after jumping from a plane. Identified as Timothy Joseph Slachta, the 48-year-old is said to have 700 jumps to his credit.
Slactha landed on the ground after jumping from a plane, Thomas Gilbert, Gloucester County Prosecutors Office chief said. The plane was owned by Skydrive Cross Keys, the company offers individuals the opportunity to jump at Cross Keys Airport in Monroe Township's Williamstown portion.
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He was an 'expert' skydiver
"The man who died while skydiving on Wednesday afternoon was an experienced skydiver," Skydive Cross Keys said in a statement as reported by WPVI which also identified the skydiver. Slachta had been skydiving for over a decade. "His parachute was deployed at normal altitude upon exiting the airplane and appeared to be fully inflated," the Keys statement added.
Monroe Township witnessed the incident around 1.25 pm on Wednesday. "He was coming down and he was swirling down, it almost looked like he wasn't awake," Larry Guagenti told the outlet.
'There was no vitals to be found'
Guagenti and a neighbor said they raced over to help after the skydiver crashed to the ground. But once they arrived, there was nothing they could do. "Debbie and I, we ran over there, she's a nurse and she was trying to find some vitals and there was no vitals to be found." Carol Miller told the outlet that skydiving is popular in the area, "It's constant, they're just constantly jumping. As soon as the plane goes back it picks up more."
'He had over 700 jumps to his credit'
"He had over 700 jumps to his credit," Nadia Mazure the spokesperson for the Cross Keys Skydive said in a statement. "All further details are pending investigation," it added. The Skydive Cross Keys said they were saddened by the loss. Mazure continued, "Skydive Cross Keys' staff and community are deeply saddened by the loss of a loved and respected member of our community."
Each year, approximately 500,000 people in the US try skydiving
Figures cited by Newsweek show in 2021 there were 10 deaths as a result of skydiving, which amounts to 0.28 deaths per 100,000 jumps during that year. Heather Glasgow, 44, of Poteau, near the Oklahoma-Arkansas line, died earlier this year while on a solo jump in the Sooner State.
United States Parachute Association says, "Each year, approximately 500,000 people in the U.S. spread their wings and try skydiving for the first time. These first-time jump students and experienced skydivers make about 3.2 million jumps annually!"