Metro

Navy parachutist plunges to death after mishap with chute

A Navy SEAL and elite parachutist was fatally injured Sunday afternoon during an event for Fleet Week in Jersey City, after his chute apparently failed to open, Navy officials said.

The US Navy Parachute Team, “The Leap Frogs” were doing an aerial demonstration in Liberty State Park around 12:18 p.m. when the unidentified SEAL became victim to a technical malfunction and plunged to his death, authorities said.

The parachutist landed in the Hudson River and was plucked out by members of the NJ Police Emergency Services unit, NJ Fire Department’s Marine unit and taken aboard a Coast Guard patrol vessel, a representative for the Coast Guard said.

He was taken to New Jersey Medical Center, and pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m., authorities said.

The cause of death was not immediately clear.

An hour and half before the accident, “The Leap Frogs” posted a picture to their Facebook page, beckoning New Yorkers to “look to the skies” around noon.

“New York City look to the skies at 12:00,” reads the post, accompanied by a picture of an unidentified diver with a stars and stripes chute.

“We’ll be jumping into Liberty State Park today for Memorial Day Weekend and in celebration of Navy Fleet Week.”

“Our hearts and our prayers go out to his family,” Rear Admiral Jack Scorby told reporters following the tragedy. “I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community, who lost a true patriot today.”

Jersey City boater Bjoern Kils was watching the performance from the water when he saw three “Leap Frogs” dive from a helicopter, complete their set, and land safely.

“Almost the same time that they touched down in Liberty State Park, we heard a splash and turned around very quick,” said Kils. “ I saw the water splash, and apparently there was a fourth parachutist.”

“We’re not sure where he came from. We didn’t see him exit the same helicopter and apparently the chute did not deploy,” added the 37-year-old, who watched first responders pull a “limp” man out of the water.

The cause of the parachute malfunction is under investigation, Scorby said.

The man’s name is being withheld pending family notification.

“The Leap Frogs” were performing as part of a week-long exhibit which draws thousands of service-members and ships to the New York City area annually.

–With Post Wires