NEED TO KNOW
- A skydiver has died after a mid-air collision with another jumper at an annual event in Montana, according to reports
- The tragedy occurred on the morning of Monday, Aug. 4 at the Lost Prairie Boogie event hosted by Meadow Peak Skydiving
- The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other individual was medically cleared after being tended to by emergency personnel, per NBC Montana
A skydiver has died after an apparent mid-air collision with another person jumping at an event in Montana, according to reports.
On Monday, Aug. 4 shortly before 9:45 a.m. local time, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded after the accident occurred during the annual Lost Prairie Boogie event hosted by Meadow Peak Skydiving in Marion, per local station KPAX News.
Two skydivers had attempted to jump over the Lost Prairie area before tragedy struck, NBC Montana reported, citing the sheriff’s office.
One of the skydivers was reportedly able to deploy a parachute after jumping from the plane and managed to land safely, while the second skydiver’s parachute deployed automatically, the outlet stated.
Both individuals were treated following the collision, but sadly, the second skydiver was pronounced dead at the scene, per NBC Montana. The other individual was medically cleared after being tended to by emergency personnel.
The victim’s name hasn’t been released by authorities.
“The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and skydiving community affected by this tragic loss,” police said according to KPAX News, citing a news release.
A Meadow Peak Skydiving spokesperson said in a news release following the tragedy, “Our hearts are broken,” per local newspaper the Daily Inter Lake.
“This is a devastating loss, and our deepest sympathies are with the [parachutist’s] family, friends and the entire sky diving community,” the representative added.
A message on the Meadow Peak Skydiving website confirmed 2025 marked the 58th annual Lost Prairie Boogie event, as well as the 15th anniversary of the skydiving company operating.
According to the Daily Inter Lake, this marks the third death at the event over the past 15 years. A Colorado man previously died after his parachute became entangled in 2010, before a man from Washington died the following year in 2011.
An experienced skydiver from Minnesota also died following a parachute malfunction in 2019, according to the outlet.
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Meadow Peak Skydiving said it is working with the United States Parachute Association and local authorities following the accident, the Daily Inter Lake noted.
The investigation continues.
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Meadow Peak Skydiving, the United States Parachute Association and the Marion Fire Department did not immediately respond after being contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
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