Despite Fully Deployed Parachute, Experienced Skydiver Plummets to Her Death

A 55-year-old woman from Minnesota died Friday, following a parachuting incident in Eloy, Arizona, according to police.

Officers with the Eloy Police Department responded to a call at Skydive Arizona on Taylor Street around 4 p.m. on Friday. The call reported a parachutist encountering issues during the descent.

Additional responders at the scene included members of the Eloy Fire District. Upon arrival, medical personnel found the individual in question, later identified as 55-year-old Ann Wick.

Emergency crews immediately initiated life-saving measures, though Wick was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

Nearly a year ago, a 73-year-old experienced skydiver died in Arizona after his parachute failed to fully deploy during a jump.

The incident also happened at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, Arizona.

The man who died, Terry Gardner, and three other skydivers were making their third jump of the day when the malfunction happened.

In an unrelated incident a month prior, a hot air balloon with eight skydivers on board crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot and three passengers. Another passenger sustained critical injuries. It’s important to note that this hot air balloon was not affiliated with Skydive Arizona, although the crash occurred in Eloy. Prior to the crash, all eight skydivers had reportedly exited the hot air balloon.

A hot air balloon carrying eight skydivers crashed, killing the pilot and three passengers, while critically injuring another passenger in Eloy, Arizona. (Credit: FOX 10 Phoenix)

Despite the skydiving-related fatalities, Skydive Arizona notes on its website that the sport of skydiving achieved the lowest fatality rate in recorded history in 2024.

“According to the USPA, there were just 9 fatalities in the United States – a testament to a sport that has embraced not only the thrill of freefall but also the power of a community-driven approach to safety,” the company noted on its website. “To put this in perspective, over 3.65 million jumps were made across the country in 2023 – the last recorded year.”

The company said in its press release that it remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards.

Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.