Skydivers make hard landings
Published 10:32 pm Monday, April 13, 2009
Two skydivers were injured in two separate incidents at Skydive Suffolk over the weekend.
On Saturday, Neal Beard, 36, opened his parachute too late, was blown off course and ended up striking the side of a church on Airport Road, said city spokeswoman Debbie George. Skydive Suffolk is located at the city-owned airport.
Beard suffered a compound fracture to his leg, as well as multiple abrasions on his face and body. He was taken by Nightingale air ambulance to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
On Sunday, just after noon, Navy SEAL Caleb Allen made a hard landing that caused him to lose consciousness. Allen injured his hip and back, and also was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Neither of the men appeared to have life-threatening injuries, George said.