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Lake Elsinore Skydivers Die in Midair Collision During Women's Record Attempt
Two experienced skydivers were killed on Friday after their parachutes collided and tangled just above the ground at Lake Elsinore, California, turning a day of celebration at one of Southern California's busiest drop zones into tragedy. The pair had been taking part in a women's world-record attempt when the accident happened in the final moments of their descent, and both were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital within hours.
Key Points
- Two licensed, experienced skydivers died on Friday, November 6, 2026, after a midair collision about 50 to 150 feet above the ground near Skydive Elsinore in Riverside County, California.
- Riverside County Sheriff's deputies were called at 11:47 a.m. to the 20000 block of Cereal Street, where both skydivers were found on the ground receiving medical aid.
- Skydive Elsinore said the freefall portion of the jump was normal and both parachutes opened at the expected altitude, but the canopies became entangled as the pair prepared to land.
- Both skydivers were taken by ground ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar in critical condition and were pronounced dead at the hospital.
- The two were visiting from out of town and were taking part in the California Women's Upright Record team, whose group of 20 female skydivers had jumped from about 12,500 feet. Their names have not been released while their next of kin are notified.
What Happened
The accident happened late on Friday morning over Lake Elsinore, a city in Riverside County about 75 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office responded at 11:47 a.m. to the 20000 block of Cereal Street after a report of an air emergency, and found both skydivers on the ground receiving medical aid.
According to Skydive Elsinore, the jump itself had gone as planned until the very last stage. The freefall portion was normal, and both skydivers opened their parachutes at the expected altitude. But as they prepared to land, they collided about 50 to 150 feet above the ground, and their parachutes became entangled.
Both suffered traumatic injuries. They were taken by ground ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar in critical condition, and were pronounced dead at the hospital. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing, and Lt. Deirdre Vickers is the sheriff's spokesperson for the case.
Lake Elsinore Skydivers and the World-Record Attempt
The two skydivers were taking part in the California Women's Upright Record team, which was organising a world-record attempt for the number of women to execute a standing-stance dive. A group of 20 female skydivers had jumped from about 12,500 feet as part of the event.
In an upright or standing-stance dive, skydivers hold a vertical, head-up body position in freefall rather than the usual belly-to-earth position. It is a demanding discipline that requires precise control, and record attempts bring together experienced jumpers from different drop zones to build a formation in the air.
The pair were visiting from out of town to take part in the event, according to the sheriff's office. Their names have not been released, pending notification of their next of kin, and no further details about where they were from have been made public.
Skydive Elsinore is one of the busiest drop zones in Southern California, drawing jumpers from across the region and beyond for training camps and record events. The accident happened on a day when the drop zone was hosting the record attempt, with multiple aircraft loads of experienced skydivers in the air.
Reactions and Official Statements
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office confirmed the deaths and said its investigation is continuing. Officials have not released the victims' names while their families are being notified, and have not said how long the investigation is expected to take.
Skydive Elsinore said the freefall portion of the jump was normal and that both parachutes opened at the expected altitude, before the collision in the final moments of the descent. The drop zone has not released further details about the jumpers or the event.
Why It Matters
Skydiving deaths in the United States are rare, but they are not unheard of. The US Parachute Association said 16 skydivers died in jumps in the United States last year, a figure that covers a sport in which hundreds of thousands of jumps are made every year.
The Lake Elsinore accident is a reminder of how unforgiving the landing phase can be. Most of a jump's risk is concentrated in the final minute, when skydivers are steering their canopies toward a landing area shared with others, and a collision at 50 to 150 feet leaves almost no time or altitude to react.
What Happens Next
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office investigation is ongoing. The victims' names are expected to be released once their next of kin have been notified, and officials have not said when their findings will be made public.
The record attempt was the reason the two skydivers were in the air on Friday. Skydive Elsinore has not announced whether jumping at the drop zone will be affected.
For the families, the wait is now for formal identification and for the sheriff's findings on how two experienced jumpers, both under open canopies, came together so close to the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Lake Elsinore?
Two experienced skydivers collided in midair about 50 to 150 feet above the ground as they prepared to land near Skydive Elsinore on Friday, November 6, 2026. Their parachutes became entangled, and both were pronounced dead at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar.
Who were the skydivers?
Their names have not been released while their next of kin are notified. Officials have said they were licensed, experienced skydivers visiting from out of town to take part in the California Women's Upright Record event.
What was the world-record attempt?
The California Women's Upright Record team was organising a world-record attempt for the number of women to execute a standing-stance dive. A group of 20 female skydivers had jumped from about 12,500 feet as part of the event.
Did their parachutes fail?
No. Skydive Elsinore said the freefall was normal and both parachutes opened at the expected altitude. The accident happened when the two collided during the landing approach and their canopies became entangled.
How common are skydiving deaths in the US?
The US Parachute Association said 16 skydivers died in US jumps last year. Hundreds of thousands of jumps are made in the United States every year, and fatal accidents remain rare.
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