A U.S. Navy SEAL fell to his death Sunday after his parachute failed to open during an aerial performance over the Hudson River in New York City.
The accident occurred shortly after noon near Liberty State Park, where the Navy’s elite parachute team, the Leap Frogs, were conducting a coordinated aerial exhibition, reported the New York Daily News.
The jumper landed near the state park, where thousands of on lookers watched in horror. He was immediately extracted from the water by the Coast Guard and the Jersey City Fire Department marine unit, according to the Navy.
A freelance photographer told NJ.com that the jumper realized he was in trouble and cut himself loose from the parachute so that he would land in the water instead of on land, where his parachute ended up.
Video of his parachute was captured from inside a high rise.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, and I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today,” Navy Commander Rear Admiral Jack Scorby said in a statement according to DNA Info New York.
The Navy said Sunday’s incident is under a full investigation. The jumper’s name has not been released pending notification of the family.
The exhibition was a part of Fleet Week.
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