One person died and another was hospitalized after two skydivers collided mid-air Sunday evening north of Ritzville, Adams County officials said. The Adams County Sheriff's Office reported the crash just after 5:30 p.m. along E. Schoessler Road. The identities of those involved are being withheld while next-of-kin notifications are completed, and county crews spent the evening working the scene in the rural landing area.
Scene and official response
Deputies were called out after reports that two skydivers needed medical attention and found evidence of a mid-air collision, according to KIRO 7. One skydiver was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to a hospital for treatment, the outlet reports. The Adams County Sheriff's Office said the body was later released to the Adams County Coroner's Office as the investigation moved from rescue to recovery.
Where the jump happened
The Columbia Basin Herald reports the crash site was about three miles north of Ritzville on East Schoessler Road. Photos shared with regional outlets show deputies and emergency crews working in an open, rural landing zone. Officials have not said whether the jump was tandem, formation, or another style, and for now the sheriff's office release remains the main source of official detail.
How rare are mid-air collisions?
The United States Parachute Association notes that skydiving fatalities are relatively uncommon. Its 2025 data list 16 civilian skydiving deaths in the U.S., a rate of roughly 0.46 deaths per 100,000 jumps. The organization says most accidents come down to human error rather than failures of modern parachute gear, and safety devices like automatic activation systems have helped drive equipment-related fatalities even lower. That backdrop underscores why a mid-air collision is both rare and especially devastating for smaller drop zones and the close-knit communities around them.
Investigation underway
The Adams County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation and has asked anyone with information or video to contact detectives, according to KIRO 7. Officials say names will remain private until families are notified and emphasize that the case is still under active review by county authorities. This story will be updated as more details become available from investigators.
