Skydiving instructor dies following jump west of Edmonton
The Canadian Press | Posted: May 12, 2025 12:35 PM | Last Updated: 24 hours ago
56-year-old man from Edmonton suffered fatal injuries, RCMP say
An investigation continues after a skydiver died in a weekend accident west of Edmonton.
RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said police were called to a township road near Onoway, Alta., on Saturday morning, where a 56-year-old man from Edmonton suffered fatal injuries following a jump from a plane.
He said the man was a skydiving instructor.
Onoway is about 60 kilometres west of Edmonton.
Skydive West Edmonton, a skydiving facility near Westlock, said in a statement that an experienced skydiver succumbed to his injuries as a result of "a high-speed malfunction" on Saturday morning.
A 'beloved' instructor
"The skydiver had over 3,000 skydives and was a beloved member of the Skydive West Edmonton family. His loss will be felt throughout the Canadian skydive community and beyond," company officials said in the statement.
Savinkoff said the death appears to have been an accident and does not appear suspicious, but he said RCMP, workplace safety officials and the Chief Medical Examiner's Office continue to investigate.
He said others were skydiving at the same time but no other injuries were reported.
The company's statement said it would not provide additional details on the incident pending the investigation.
"Out of respect for those involved and their families, no further details will be released at this time."