Marion, MT — A tragic skydiving accident at the Lost Prairie Boogie festival has left one person dead after a mid-air collision, marking the fourth fatality at the annual event over the past 15 years.
Collision Occurred During Descent
The fatal incident occurred Monday morning during the skydiving festival near Marion, according to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. Two skydivers collided while free-falling before deploying their parachutes.
“One of the skydivers was knocked unconscious immediately,” authorities said.
Although the unconscious skydiver’s emergency parachute automatically deployed, they suffered fatal injuries upon landing, as reported by the New York Post.
Emergency Response Was Immediate
First responders were already stationed on-site due to the nature of the event and rushed to provide aid. However, the skydiver was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s identity has not yet been released.
The second skydiver involved was able to deploy their parachute successfully and landed without incident. They were assessed and cleared by medical personnel at the festival.
Event Has History of Fatalities
This incident is the fourth fatal accident associated with the Lost Prairie Boogie in the last 15 years, which has raised questions about the risks associated with large-scale skydiving festivals.
Past fatal incidents include:
- In 2019, a Minnesota skydiver died when their parachute malfunctioned.
- In 2011, a Washington man was killed during the event.
- In 2010, a Colorado man died when his parachute became tangled during the descent.
“This is a devastating loss, and our deepest sympathies are with the [parachutist’s] family, friends and the entire sky diving community,” said Meadow Peak Skydiving, the festival’s host organization. “Our hearts are broken.”
Festival Draws Hundreds of Jumpers Annually
This year marked the 58th annual Lost Prairie Boogie, which attracts hundreds of thrill-seeking parachutists from across the country. Meadow Peak Skydiving has hosted the event for the past 15 years and stated that they are cooperating fully with investigators.
“We always adhere to the highest standards of skydiving safety and protocols,” the company emphasized following the incident.
Safety Reminders in High-Risk Sports
While skydiving is considered statistically safe when proper procedures are followed, officials warn that large-scale events come with elevated risks due to higher traffic in airspace and complex aerial choreography.
Key safety reminders emphasized by veteran jumpers and event organizers include:
- Stay hyper-aware of fellow jumpers during group formations or freefalls
- Practice deployment drills and emergency protocol regularly
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to assist in the ongoing investigation to determine whether equipment failure, procedural lapse, or human error played a role.
What are your thoughts on the risks involved in events like this? Let us know in the comments.
