Tag Archives: BSBD

Fatality at a Perris Big-Way

On February 27 a jumper participating in a 40-way sequentials at Perris Valley, CA died impacting the ground following a low cutaway from a malfunctioning main canopy. Nicole Hannan, native of Australia, was an experienced skydiver with considerable big-way experience. She was observed falling in a stable belly-to-earth position after the cutaway, turning slightly. It is not known why Nicole cut away so low (witnesses on the ground estimated the cutaway at 400-500 ft) or did not deploy her reserve.

Our condolences to all of Nicole’s friends and family.

Your Rockin’ Memorial

If you’re not a skydiver, paraglider, BASE jumper, pilot, speed rider or aerial enthusiast of any kind, prepare for some odd-sounding morbidity. If you are one of the aforementioned freaks, we know you have a plan. A big plan. The ultimate plan, in fact: your memorial plan.

So, how do you want your friends and family to mark your passing? Do you have specific instructions on where your ash dive should be? How you want the party to go down? What music you want on the memorial DVD? A specific quote or saying for your gravestone?

Send your plans to me at lara@blueskiesmag.com, or post them here in the comments. We’ll print the best ones in our next issue.

photo by Nika Composer

Swoopette Dies at Mile-Hi, CO

This past weekend Emily Berkeley passed away in a Denver hospital from extensive injuries sustained during a swoop landing after a hop & pop at Mile-Hi Skydiving in Longmont, CO.
This was Emily’s third jump of the day and she is reported to have been working on her swooping with an instructor. On her final jump, the turn was simply too low to allow for recovery.
Emily was a current jumper that held several certifications, including both AFF and PRO ratings and was a local jumper at Mile-Hi.

A memorial service is scheduled at Mile-Hi on December 23rd, 3:00-6:00 PM.
Our condolences to all of Emily’s friends and family.

BSBD, Dave Hersey

Longtime New England jumper and rigger Dave Hersey passed away this morning, January 5. A a long battle with ALS (often called “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) cut his skydiving short in recent years, but not his love and dedication to the sky. If you went to any skydiver weddings in the New England area, you probably witnessed Dave performing the ceremony—probably barefoot and probably with a peaceful, knowing smile under a bushy beard.

Videographer Sean Rogan shot Dave’s final skydive, his 25th skydiving anniversary, in October 2008:


YouTube Link: Dave Hersey's Last Skydive

An ash dive with 10 pounds of glitter (at Dave’s request) is being planned. All the best to Dave’s many friends and family.

BSBD, Steve Harrington

Steve Harrington on a sunset jump in Pepperell, July 2009. Photo by Jeff Donohue, Drunken Skwrl Productions.

Steve Harrington on a sunset jump in Pepperell, July 2009.

We’re putting the final touches on a memorial to Steve Harrington for the December issue. Steve had just completed the new world record 68-way wingsuit record and went on a fun jump to celebrate. He struck the tail of the plane on exit and lost his life. If you have any memories of Steve, please do share them in the comments.

Blue skies, Steve.

Photo by Jeff Donohue, Drunken Skwrl Productions.

BSBD, Aaron “Crash” Moore

Crash. Photo by Justin Carmody.
Crash
Photo by Justin Carmody.

Canadian jumper Aaron “Crash” Moore passed away this morning at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL. He landed off-field at Skydive DeLand yesterday morning and was being prepared for surgery. Early reports indicated non-life-threatening injuries.

Blue skies, Crash, you will be missed. Please feel free to share your stories and memories in the comments section.

News report: http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/breakingnews/sky090709.htm.

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