50949_WKBW_7_Problem_Solvers_658x90.png

Actions

Man killed in Orleans County skydiving accident

Posted
and last updated

Investigators say a 30-year-old male from the Rochester area was killed in a skydiving accident Saturday night.

According to the Orleans County Sheriff's Office, the accident occurred in a field near Pask and Pine Hill Roads in the Town of Barre around 7 pm.

An investigation revealed that the victim, Erick Miller, of Irondequoit, was an experienced skydiving instructor with WNY Skydiving and more than 700 civilian jumps.

The FAA was at the site of the accident Monday morning.

According to the FAA and the Orleans County Sheriff's Office, the investigation shows that the main parachute had deployed, possibly improperly, and was found near Miller, but was not attached to him. Investigators are trying to determine why the backup chute was not deployed or why it didn't deploy automatically as it should have. 

The victim and another skydiver, who was uninjured, are members of the WNY Skydiving Club.

The victim's name has not been released.