Skydiver Killed Following Midair Collision During Jump

A tragic accident occurred during a skydiving jump over Orange, Massachusetts, resulting in the death of Robert Szabo, 62, from Connecticut. Szabo was involved in a collision with another skydiver during the descent, which ultimately led to his fatal injuries.

According to local authorities, Szabo and another skydiver collided midair on October 4. The other skydiver was unharmed and successfully landed with a fully functional parachute. Szabo, however, landed with critical injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Worcester. Despite being taken off his ventilator following a negative MRI, Szabo succumbed three days later.

The cause of death is pending determination by the Medical Examiner, and the incident remains under investigation by the Northwestern District Attorney’s office.

A smiling skydiver in a black helmet and orange jumpsuit with a packed parachute on their back. — Robert Szabo was transported to hospital after the collision and was taken off life support three days later.

Szabo was a staff member at Connecticut Parachutists, a skydiving club based in Ellington, CT. Colleagues described him as friendly and generous, known for his patience and skill in the sport.

A skydiver in a dark suit and helmet free-falling with a small airplane above. — Sbazo was a seasoned competitive skydiver with several awards throughout his career.

Szabo’s extensive experience and achievements in skydiving were well recognized within the community, and he contributed actively to the sport for many years.

This incident marks the second fatality at Jumptown Skydiving in less than ten years, the first being a collision in 2018 that resulted in the death of 27-year-old Alexis Zayas. Additionally, there was a serious injury reported in 2022 when a skydiver’s parachute tangled, causing a hard landing on a building roof.