Ottawa

65-Year-Old Man Dies After Accident at Ottawa Skydiving Facility

A preliminary report from the sheriff's office claims Gomez was skydiving when he experienced a problem with his parachute, leading to a "hard landing"

A 65-year-old suburban Chicago man died Sunday morning after experiencing a problem with his parachute while skydiving in central Illinois. 

Around 9 a.m., the Wallace Township Fire Department was called to SkyDive Chicago, a skydiving training facility in nearby Ottawa, for reports of a "hard landing," according to fire officials.

About an hour later, the LaSalle County sheriff's office and the coroner's office were notified.

The man was pronounced dead on the scene at about 11 a.m., according to Corporal Dave Woolford of the LaSalle County sheriff's office. He was later identified as Richard L. Gomez of Berwyn, Illinois.

A preliminary report from the sheriff's office claims Gomez was skydiving when he experienced a problem with his parachute, leading to the hard landing.

SkyDive Chicago did not have a comment on the incident, and the facility remained open Sunday.

The incident is being investigated by the FAA, the LaSalle County sheriff's department and the LaSalle County coroner.

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