Beiseker fatality?

[riggerrob 643]

Can anyone fill in the details about the student fatality in Beiseker, Alberta, Canada, this past Saturday?
The whuffo press said:
"SKYDIVER KILLED
BEISEKER, Alta. -
Witnesses looked on in horror as a skydiver plunged to his death in a parachuting accident Saturday night during his first-ever jump.
"We saw the parachute spiralling down and then we heard a loud pop," said a 19-year-old witness, who also had just finished his first jump at the Skydive Ranch, which operates out of the Beiseker airport, about 50 kilometres northeast of Calgary. RCMP said there was initial indication of equipment failure."
Can any skydiver fill in the details?

[Viking 0]

a night jump as a first time jump??? is that legal!!!!
Remember when Sex was safe and skydiving was Dangerous?

[Tee 0]

Hi Rob. That happens to be my home dz. It was about 5:00 in the evening, still a few hours before the sun went down, so not to worry about the "night jump" thing. They are still investigating, but it so far it looks like the student was under a fully functional parachute, was following the radio instructions down then had a heart attack and with the toggle in his hand, was clutching his chest and 360'd himself into the ground. They still aren't sure if he died from the heart attack or from the landing. He was only 34 years old. My heart goes out to all his friends and family.
Tee

[riggerrob 643]

Tee,
Thanks for spreading the truth.
Please keep us posted as the investigation develops.
Reminds me of a similar accident several years ago at Pitt Meadows. The student paniced and burried a toggle all the way to impact. He lived, and is walking again, but suffered so much nerve damage that he cannot ride a bicycle.
Folks - on these forums - let's stay close to the facts. My analysis of the P.M. accident is based upon two eye witness accounts: the radio controller and the victim's father who was on the same load.