Expert skydiver falls to death in South Africa

An experienced skydiver fell to his death Sunday while trying to make a high-speed landing west of Johannesburg, the Parachute Association of South Africa said.

Jarrod Folscher, 27, a trained jump master who had completed more than 350 jumps, died while attempting a “swoop” landing, national safety and training officer Mark Bellingan said in a statement.

“From initial witness accounts, his parachute was fully functional, but his approach turn was initiated too low and instead of swooping he impacted the ground at high speed,” Bellingan said.

The parachute group said it would conduct a full investigation of the accident.