Hello Everyone,
My name is Eric Lunder. I was with Erich on the jump when he was killed. The details are as follows:
The jump took place at 1:00 pm on 11/17/04
Weather conditions: heavy fog beginning at 350ft. The ground was visible from approx. 500ft. Winds: calm
Altitude 940ft,
Antenna, slider up.
Cause of death: Low pull. The canopy was out and partially inflated.
He was killed on
impact.
We planned a 2 way and followed through with it. We both left stable and immediately began to track away from the tower. We planned for him to be the low man and he was to signal me to pull by reaching for his pc and delaying one second. I deployed my canopy as soon as his hand moved toward his pc. My canopy deployed normally and on heading. After I established that I had a good canopy I witnessed Erich with a partially open canopy impact the ground. The spot where he impacted was on a hill approx. thirty to fifty feet above the base of the tower approx. and 250ft horozontally away from the tower. I landed safely and immediately cutaway my canopy and ran toward him. I found him unconscious and unresponsive. He was not breathing and had no pulse. I tried CPR but he did not respond. I then called 911 and emergency services were sent to the scene. The EMTs hooked him up to a monitor and there were no vital signs. I believe he was killed immediately on impact. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Erich was one of my best friends and was a friend to many people around the world. Please think of his wife Gretchen and his son Max because they need our love. I will miss him and all that know him will as well. The world is a lesser place due to his passing.
Eric Lunder
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