BFL
American

BFL6 · 1.10.1983

Michael Williams

American

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BASE seasons

BASE jumps

WS BASE jumps

Skydives

WS skydives

Incident

Incident category:
BASE Fatality
ID:
BFL6
Object:
Span
Cause of death:
Drowning
Date:
01. 10. 1983
Time:
Exit point:
United States of America › West Virginia › New River Gorge

Other incidents at this location: BFL12, BFL16, BFL104

Exit type:
Vertical

Personal

Name:
Michael Williams
Gender:
Male
Nationality:
American
Age:
Experience:

Equipment & Setup

Canopy:
Canopy size:
Container:
Suit:
Everyday Clothing worn › Slick
Packing:
Slider Up
Deployment:
BOC

Circumstances

Weather:
Sunny Winds light and variable
Factors:
Moving water

Description


This is the first Bridge Day fatality. Michael had a slow main opening and deployed his reserve too quickly. With two canopies out he landed in the river and signaled he is all right. He made no attempt to get out of his gear and his reserve canopy caught the swift current and pulled him under the surface. There is only one rescue boat that year, and was busy pulling another jumper from the water.

Since this fatality Bridge Day Jump-masters don't release jumpers until the boats are free and standing by.

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