Foul play is not suspected at this point, according to the Middlesex DA. -- A 60-year-old experienced skydiver who filmed jumps for a skydiving company died after a parachute malfunction, CBS Boston reports . PEPPERELL (CBS) -- Officials have confirmed a man died from a skydiving incident in Pepperell. 60-year-old man killed in skydiving accident in Pepperell, Boston 25 News facebook feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News twitter feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News youtube feed(Opens a new window), School administrators: Create a closings account, Skydiver spends hours in tree after jump takes drastic turn, Boston man dies while skydiving in Pepperell, Its gunna spread: Encampment crackdown to resume in Boston Monday, Renovate or move? SKYDIVE PEPPERELL - 165 Nashua Rd, Pepperell, Massachusetts - Yelp I dont know what the owners doing at this time, said Selectman Stephen Themelis, but an accidents an accident., Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Bringing objects and landscape to life with pastel painting, Sizer School senior headed to the Solomont School of Nursing at UMass Lowell, Nashoba Tech students design selected to promote fashion show, Pepperell Police Chief David Scott to retire after over 30 years of service, COVID concerns grind health-care system to a halt, Patriots-Browns film review: What Mac Jones can learn from Bailey Zappes breakout at Cleveland, A resilient teenager and a family in need; Olivia Perez fights cancer with a smile, Harvard land once eyed for utility corridor to be protected, Local leaders call for DCR action on Nashua River Rail Trail, Sean Wellington's life, tragic death remembered, Cupcake festival coming to Townsend Public Library, Nashoba Valley Chorale to host Chariot Jubilee in celebration of Black composers, US retail sales were flat in July as inflation takes a toll. Free load organizing every weekend. As you climb to your exit altitude of 10,500 feet, you will continue to receive instructions. Our Accellerated Freefall Program will have you licensed and jumping with your friends in no time! Gately said. The ironworker was an upright, funloving guy, according to his obituary from DeVito Funeral Homes. Skydive Pepperell 4.5 40 reviews #1 of 1 Tours & Activities in Pepperell Adrenaline & Extreme Tours Skydiving Closed now 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Write a review See all photos About Pepperell, Massachusetts Contact Suggest edits to improve what we show. Its a family there we are very tight. / CBS Boston. The photographer, who authorities haven't identified, filmed Rich Gately's tandem jump for the Skydive Pepperell company on Saturday. Concord Monitor. If a parachute does not fully function, a skydiver could hit the ground at up to 120 miles an hour. After about 60 seconds of free-falling, Gately remembers pulling his chute and feeling like he came to a halt. When the facility re-opens in the spring, skydivers are hoping they can learn something from this tragedy to make the sport even safer. he was well-liked in this community," said Stephen Hoff, a fellow skydiver. "Just a fantastic person.". Please plan accordingly to stay for half the day potentially, as weekends can get busy. Skydive Pepperell remains closed to skydiving. Two people were in the plane at the time but they were not injured, police said. Saturday was the last day of the skydiving season at Pepperell Airport. Sometimes younever know, but we will certainly take every opportunity to find out, he said. The incident. PEPPERELL (CBS) - An experienced skydiver from Mattapan was killed in a skydiving accident in Pepperell Sunday morning. Learn About Us - Skydive Pepperell Gately will do his best to remember the man's contagious passion. Licensed Skydivers enjoy our strong community of skydiving enthusiasts. "We have a main parachute and we have a reserve parachute,"said David Goldstein, lead instructor at Skydive Pepperell. "Everyone was quiet, the whole place was quiet, but you could tell that he was just such a nice guy and I felt awful because he was videoing me," said Gately. Details still emerging. "In my peripheral, I could see spinning, but I couldn't see anything else," Gately said. The 60-year-old man who died skydiving in Pepperell last weekend was a veteran skydiver who had jumped out of a plane thousands of times, said Skydive Pepperell safety advisor and Franklin police Chief David Goldstein. He was working as an independent contractor filming jumps with the skydiving company. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. PEPPERELL, Mass. Make Your Jump Today With Pepperell The accident was the third fatality in the past 20 years at the Pepperell airport, said Lt. Todd Blain of the Pepperell Police Department. Goldstein said he began his day Saturday in Franklin at a prescription drug take-back day, but left early to make one more jump in Pepperell before the skydiving facility closed for the season last weekend. A skydiver was killed in an accident in Pepperell, Massachusetts around 3 p.m. on Saturday. Skydive Pepperell is the closest dropzone to Boston and is located on the border of Massachusetts and Nashua, New Hampshire. Police are investigating a skydiving accident that left an experienced skydiver dead in Pepperell Sunday morning. In 2003, Chuck Parsons, 41, a nuclear physicist living in Groton, died after trying an advanced move with a new parachute, according to dropzone.com. All of our skydives are from 10,500 to 13,500 feet AGL (above ground level). Full Contact Information; Map and Directions; Contact Quicklinks. Skydiving Price Information - Skydive Pepperell Skydive Pepperell has the most comprehensive skydiving facilities in New England located on our private 60+ acre skydiving-only airport. This week, Skydive Pepperellwill close for the season. "He was taking video of the students.. Skydive Pepperell says the skydiver killed Saturday, whose identity has not been released, was highly experienced and worked as an independent contractor filming jumps with the skydiving company. Rich Gately's girlfriend catches a picture of him jumping out of the plane to skydive with his instructor (Photo Courtesy: Rich Gately), skydiver died at the Pepperell Skydiving Center. Lead instructor David Goldstein told 7News the man killed was a veteran of thousands of jumps and worked for the facility as a videographer. August 17, 2014 / 6:30 PM We offer Tandem Skydiving and Accelerated Freefall Training for students. The skydiver hit the ground on airport property, which made Goldstein believe that when something went wrong with the first parachute, the man disconnected from it, and was trying to use the reserve. Private 100 acre skydiving-only airport with huge grass landing area. He described the deceased skydiver as an incredibly friendly person, and an experienced skydiver., He was a give-you-the-shirt-off-his-back kind of guy, Goldstein said. Boston man dies in Pepperell sky-diving accident - Lowell Sun I didnt see a lot, I was really reacting more to people around me.. Over the years a number of other owners kept the skydiving business going. In 1991 the current owner began running the operation and soon after Skydive Pepperell obtained a 22 place Twin Otter aircraft on a full-time basis. All rights reserved, After Flooding for Some, Raindrops Set to Return This Week, Why Not Help?' "We have a main parachute and we have a reserve parachute," said David Goldstein, lead instructor at Skydive Pepperell. var currentheadline = document.getElementById("headline").innerText; "In my peripheral, I could see spinning, but I couldn't see anything else," Gately said. The photographer, who authorities. After the video and paperwork are completed, you can relax in our comfortable waiting area until your name is called. / CBS Boston. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Law enforcement officials are still investigating what happened to the jumper who died, but assume that the mans death was a result of a parachute malfunction. Take to the skies at Skydive Pepperell! Skydive Pepperell - Massachusetts - Dropzone.com Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/nVl0q9rMtR. for the beginner, student, and experienced skydiver. The aircraft that sometimes did up to twenty-five skydiving runs a day will head to Florida. He loved what he was doing it was never work for him.. Without the help of a community organization dedicated to supporting and assisting refugees and New Americans in Concord, soccer prodigy Boris Stay informed with our free email updates. All while harnessed to an experienced tandem skydiving instructor. Goldstein said State Police and local police are investigating and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified. Foul play is not suspected at this point, according to the Middlesex DA. Subscribe Today, For Alex Ray, altruisim is a common theme, The Outside Story: The carpenters arrive in spring, Calle Walton to be grand marshal of Future in Sights fundraising walk. You will also be shown the state of the art equipment being used to ensure you safety. Its a great thing to have the skydive family all here, he said from the dropzone. Skydive Pepperell: Fatal accident occurred October 28, 2017 in Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. At the time of the accident, the man was taking video as instructors and students jumped from about 10,000 feet. "Everyone was quiet, the whole place was quiet, but you could tell that he was just such a nice guy, and I felt awful because he was videoing me," Gately told CBS Boston. Boston man dies in skydiving accident - WCVB Skydive Pepperell - SmugMug "In his honor," Gately said, "I would say that I would still go [skydiving], in his honor.". Each of our instructors have thousands of jumps in experience, so you can rest assured you are jumping with the best. Skydiver Killed in Accident While Filming for Pepperell, Mass. Company Skydive Pepperell - Closest Skydive To Boston! After about sixty seconds of free-falling, Gately remembers pulling his chute and feeling like he came to a halt. Its a high-risk sport, Goldman said. Box 279, Pepperell, MA 01463 http://www.pepperellairport.com Airport Identifier: 26 MA Unicom Frequency: 123.05 Latitude: 42 41.771667 N Longitude: 71 33.003333 W Magnetic declination: 16 degrees W Bad things happen and we do our best to prepare for emergency procedures and train often," said Stephen Hoff, an experienced skydiver who came to Pepperell to skydive Saturday only to be greeted by the tragic news. This is a sad thing for all of us. We will match tandem offers from any skydiving company with a 15-plus seat turbine aircraft within 75 miles of Skydive Pepperell. After about 60 seconds of free-falling, Gately remembers pulling his chute and feeling like he came to a halt. The finding means that the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has closed the case, said spokesman David Wallace on Sept. 9. (Leah Willingham can be reached at 369-3322, lwillingham@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @LeahMWillingham.). The U.S. Parachute Association estimates 3.2 million people skydived nationally in 2016. Upon arrival at your scheduled check in time, you will begin the training process by first watching a video explaining everything you will experience. Jumpers descend from 10,000 to13,000feet. "That's when I heard my instructor say, 'Oh no,' and you know something was wrong, so I start to freak out.". tag_id.innerHTML = ' Buy this Image'; "And we all train in how to deploy a reserve if something happens to the main.. October 28, 2017 / 8:48 PM / CBS Boston. Still, this is the second fatal accident at the Pepperell facility in three years. Goldstein said the critical next step will be an investigation to see what went wrong with the mans parachute. Concord Monitor Report For America Education, Concord Monitor Report For America Health, Support the A skydiver was killed in an accident in Pepperell, Massachusetts around 3 p.m. on Saturday. When they were in the air, the photographer "was across from me, and he's like almost reaching out, doing hand gestures, telling me to wave, and I'm just like 'yeah!'" Despite the tragic death of a photographer who jumped alongside him, he said he would go again. When they were in the air, the photographer "was across from me, and he's like almost reaching out, doing hand gestures, telling me to wave, and I'm just like 'yeah!'" "It's important for us not to get complacent.". "He was liked in this community," said Hoff, who knew the victim. 40 Reviews #2 of 5 things to do in Pepperell Outdoor Activities, Tours, More 165 Nashua Rd, Pepperell, MA 01463-1457 Open today: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Save Boston B 7 3 Our experience at Pepperell Skydiving could not have been worse! Review of Skydive Pepperell Reviewed November 20, 2020 PEPPERELL (CBS) -- Rich Gately went skydiving for the first time this weekend. ", First published on October 30, 2017 / 10:58 AM. He was filming beginner skydivers and then jumped from the plane himself. You should be in good physical condition and due to equipment specifications and limitations the maximum weight for tandem skydiving is 225 pounds. When authorities arrived, they discovered the body of a 60-year-old man who authorities said was an experienced skydiver. It is definitely a sport in which chaos and control are forced to co-exist, and having a healthy dose of fear, helps. Daniel Pelrine, 38, of Mattapan, was pronounced dead at the scene by medics shortly after 11 am, according to police spokesman John Guilfoil. This week, Skydive Pepperell will close for the season. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. Your instructor will introduce him/herself and begin to train with you one on one. The photographer kept going, which Gately thought was routine at first. October 29, 2017 / 10:05 PM Divers are trained on how to deploy thereserve parachute if something happens to the main. On Saturday, a 60-year-old experienced skydiver died at the Pepperell Skydiving Center after a parachute malfunction. If a parachute does not fully function, a skydiver could hit the ground at up to 120 miles an hour. He had 40 years of skydiving experience. This is an open and ongoing investigation conducted by the Middlesex's DA's office, PepperellPolice,State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Twin Otter airplane used for jumps at Skydive Pepperell in Pepperell, Mass. Daniel Pelrine, 37, of Mattapan died in the accident at the Skydive Pepperell Center on Nashua Road, Pepperell police said. He was an experienced jumper, and the accident occurred upon landing.. **, Copyright 2023 by Pepperell Skydiving Center. A 60-year-old man was killed Saturday in a skydiving accident in Pepperell, Massachusetts. The big thing you can do now that will get you more money when you decide to sell, If they refuse, they refuse: Boston wont forcibly remove tenants from Mass and Cass corridor, Aerosmith announces farewell tour with stop in Boston, 4 men from Mass., NH arrested in Lawrence-based drug trafficking ring, federal authorities say. Feel the full human emotional spectrum as you slow youre decent and witness breathtaking views of the New England landscape. Boston 25 News reporter Jim Morelli learned the skydiver's main parachute deployed, but was released and landed in a nearby neighborhood. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. That morning, he was skydiving at Skydive Pepperell, about an hour away, when he crashed on landing. Annual Pepperell Boogie; Contact Information. We've got nowhere else to go Concord family homeless once again after temporary apartment stay, Concord Monitor Recent Obituaries: All of Concord Monitor's Recent Obituaries, Theres a new restaurant coming to Concord, with a familiar name and location, Avian flu is here and is a danger to cats and dogs as well as poultry. The man he jumped out with said he would go again. }. Gately's first jump would be the man's last assignment. Statistically, skydiving appears to be quite safe. Gately's tandem jump was the man's last assignment. Skydive Pepperell in - Pepperell, MA | Groupon "Everyone was quiet, the whole place was quiet, but you could tell that he was just such a nice guy, and I felt awful because he was videoing me," Gately told CBS Boston. Skydive Pepperell - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor When they were in the air, the photographer "was across from me, almost reaching out, doing hand gestures, telling me to wave, and I'm just like 'yeah!'" This is a close sport, and we have a tight community. The U.S. Parachute Association estimates 3.2 million skydived nationally in 2016. The jump began like any other from a Twin Otter plane at the Pepperell Airport, but then investigators believe something went wrong with the 60-year-old's parachute. "Very nice, very gentle, very respectful, professional, family man, yes," said David Goldstein, who works at Skydive Pepperell. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Pepperell Chief of Police David Scott have confirmed the death of a 60-year-old male who was an experienced skydiver. Of that total, 21 died as a result of the jump. The pair spent a few hours together before the jump getting to know each other. Gift Certificates available online or just give us a call at 1-800-SKYJUMP! Out of those numbers, only 21 died as a result of the jump. The preliminary investigation suggests that the decedent experienced a parachute malfunction. Boston's premier tandem skydive Dropzone! Pepperell Skydiving Center 165 Nashua Road, Pepperell, MA 01463 Phone: (978) 433-9222 manifest@skyjump.com Mailing Address: P.O. It couldnt have been anything else, she said. Two week notice is required for large groups. Investigators believe something went wrong with the man's parachute. Daniel Pelrine, 37, of Mattapan died in the accident at the Skydive. "In his honor, I would say that I would still go [skydiving], in his honor. Pepperell Skydiving Center | Skydiving Source "We all have a main parachute and we have a reserve parachute, and we're all trained how to deploy a reserve if something happens to the main," Goldstein said. The skydiver hit the ground on airport property, which tells experts that something went wrong with the first parachute, he disconnected from it, and was trying to use the reserve. Plus, indoor skydiving at the exciting SkyVenture Wind Tunnelin Nashua, NH, just 15 minutes from us! Skydiver dies during Pepperell jump. The exact cause of the accident is unknown, however, preliminary investigation suggests he experienced a parachute malfunction. On Saturday afternoon, at approximately 3:00 p.m., askydiving incident inPepperellleft one person dead, according to police. The preliminary investigation indicates the man experienced a parachute malfunction, prosecutors said. Statistically, skydiving appears to be quite safe. PEPPERELL A 37-year-old Boston man was killed in a skydiving accident at Skydive Pepperell on Sunday morning, but published reports indicate the man's parachute had opened. Gately's first jump would be the man's last assignment. "He was taking video of the students.. Pepperell skydiving death: Man describes interactions with photographer Jumpers descend from 10,000 to 13,000 feet. -- A 60-year-old experienced skydiver who filmed jumps for a skydiving company died after a parachute malfunction. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating with the help of police. PEPPERELL, Mass. "You're out having a good time with people and you forget that part that you're falling to the ground, towards the ground at 120 miles per hour," said Hoff. Fatal Skydiving Incident Under Investigation In Pepperell Man Recalls Skydiving Photographer Before Fatal Crash - YouTube Goldstein said he stayed at the drop zone until 7 or 8 p.m. Saturday night with mourning community members, and returned there Sunday for a debriefing. The photographer, who authorities haven't identified, filmed Rich Gately's tandem jump for the Skydive Pepperell company on Saturday. It comes and goes in waves, Gagnon said. He was working with the tandem students as a videographer," Goldstein said. PEPPERELL (CBS) An experienced skydiver from Mattapan was killed in a skydiving accident in Pepperell Sunday morning. ", First published on October 29, 2017 / 10:05 PM. Saturday was the last day of the skydiving season at Pepperell Airport. An experienced skydiver fell to his death after a jump at the Skydive Pepperell Center, and investigators are working to figure out how the accident occurred, according to authorities.