Date: October 1, 1983 Nationality: American
Object Type: Span
Location: New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville, West Virginia, USA
COD: drowning
Clothes / Suit: Normal Clothes
Description:
This is the first Bridge Day fatality. Michael had a slow main opening and deployed his reserve too quickly. With two canopies out he landed in the river and signaled he is all right. He made no attempt to get out of his gear and his reserve canopy caught the swift current and pulled him under the surface. There is only one rescue boat that year, and was busy pulling another jumper from the water.
Since this fatality Bridge Day Jump-masters don't release jumpers until the boats are free and standing by.
If you have a picture for this jumper, please contact us
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