One Was A U.S. Army Parachute Team Member

Four people were fatally injured and another seriously hurt when the skydiving plane they were aboard went down Saturday at East Georgia Regional Airport in Swainsboro.

Fox News reports that the accident occurred about 1400 local time. Among those on board was a member of the U.S. Army Parachute Team The Golden Knights.

"It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the US Army Parachute Team announces the recent death of SSG Aliaksandr “Alex” Bahrytsevich. SSG Bahrytsevich, 31 years of age, was killed on Saturday, 25 August 2018, in a small plane crash while off duty in Swainsboro, Georgia," the Golden Knights said in a Facebook post on Sunday. "

"Alex was extremely passionate about the sport of skydiving and always sought opportunities to coach and mentor other members of the team. Originally from Belarus, Alex served the US Army with distinction and pride. He served most recently as a demonstrator on the Golden Knights Black Demonstration Team. Alex is survived by his mother, Nattallia, and father, Mikhail. We ask for respect and privacy for the family during this time of sorrow and grief. Funeral arrangements and memorial ceremony information will be released later this week."

Officials said that the plane went down on takeoff at the end of the runway. One person on board survived the accident, and was taken to a trauma center in Augusta, GA.

The plane was owned by The Jumping Place Skydiving Center, which called the accident an "enormous loss" in a message posted to Facebook.

(U.S. Army image)

FMI: Source report