A skydiving instructor was killed during a tandem jump after falling without a parachute in Nashville, Tennessee.
Justin Fuller, 35, became separated from his student during the skydive.
The experienced instructor fell to his death after the two jumpers became stuck on the side of the plane in a tandem rig, police said.
The student’s reserve parachute deployed, saving his life.Credit: Nashville Fire Department
His student’s reserve parachute deployed, saving his life. He was found by the Nashville fire department in a wooded area and freed from tree canopies by crews using ladders after he was “suspended for hours”.
It is not yet clear how Fuller was separated from his student and the safety equipment.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
Three other skydivers, who had jumped before Fuller, landed safely with no difficulties.
Fuller is reported to have taken part in more than 5,000 jumps. Luke Goodgion, his friend, paid tribute to Fuller, who had earned the “Spidey” nickname. “It has been difficult, he was the epitome of a friend,” he told Fox Nashville.
