Was Severely Injured During Practice Jump

A new skydiving record was clouded this week by the death of one of the jumpers.

The Lakeland (FL) Ledger reports skydiver Joseph Lambraith of Gilbert, AZ died Tuesday from injuries he suffered during a practice jump last weekend.

Lambraith was one of 100 parachutists attempting to set a new canopy skydiving record at Lake Wales Airport. To create the 'canopy', jumpers parachute from aircraft at staggered altitudes, then join with other skydivers inflight -- with those who jumped from higher altitudes hooking their feet into the lines of parachutes of jumpers beneath them.

Lambraith, an experienced skydiver with around 5,000 jumps, was among a small group of skydivers practicing for the record November 17, when his foot became entangled in the lines of a parachute below him.

The skydiver whose canopy Lambraith struck landed safely, after releasing his main 'chute and pulling his reserve. Lake Wales firefighter Mike Sykes told The Ledger Lambraith was unable to free himself from the other 'chute, and "spiraled out of control" and impacted the ground hard.

An ambulance transported Lambraith to a local hospital. He suffered a ruptured aorta, ruptured spleen, and several broken bones in the fall.

The Polk County Sheriffs Department confirmed Wednesday Lambraith died from his injuries the day before.

"Joe was a great skydiver and a great competitor," said Mike Lewis, one of the event organizers. "I've known him for 25 years. It's tough."

The remaining skydivers set the record shortly before noon Wednesday. One hundred jumpers created a diamond formation close to 200 feet wide and 200 feet high -- large enough to show up on radar.

FMI: www.uspa.org/