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Parachute fails, US skydiver jumps to death

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-13 09:56

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Authorities say a central Ohio skydiver whose parachute failed to open during a jump has died from his injuries.

The State Highway Patrol says 59-year-old Harry Short of Reynoldsburg had jumped Saturday in a group of three from a single-engine Cessna airplane flying at about 10,000 feet.

He had moved away from the other skydivers and was unable to open his main parachute. Troopers say a reserve parachute opened, but Short was too close to the ground to avoid injury when he landed near the Fairfield County airport.

Officials weren't sure why the parachute failed. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

The highway patrol reported that Short was an experienced skydiver who had completed more than 450 jumps.