WALLER COUNTY, Texas — A pair of tandem skydivers are in critical condition after their parachute did not open during a jump, the Waller County Sheriff’s Office said.
The sheriff’s office said the two, a female client and a male instructor, were flown by Life Flight to the Memorial Hermann Medical Center. They say the instructor’s condition appears to be “very critical.”
A witness who lives in the neighborhood says they saw the accident as it was happening. He says the first parachute failed to open, so one of the skydivers cut it off. A second backup parachute opened halfway.
They said one of the skydivers was conscious when they landed and the second was unconscious.
Officials say the incident took place at 1654 Kitty Hawk Drive in Waller, Texas. According to WCSO, they received the call at approximately 12 p.m. this afternoon.
Skydive Houston released a statement on Sunday following the incident saying, "On Saturday, February 19th, an accident occurred at Skydive Houston during a tandem parachute jump. Both the tandem instructor and the female student were airlifted to area hospitals with injuries. Our thoughts and prayers for their full recovery go out to them both."
The company added in its statement that the incident has been reported to the FAA and a full investigation is forthcoming.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.