A skydiver parachuting an American flag into the Dan Russell Rodeo Arena during the Folsom Pro Rodeo on Thursday evening appeared to make a sudden, punishing landing near the grandstands as a packed crowd looked on. Viewer video circulating online shows the jumper drop sharply and hit the dirt; witnesses told reporters the person later stood and waved toward the arena. Early coverage did not make clear whether the skydiver suffered serious injuries.
Video Shows Abrupt Drop Over Grandstands
A clip reviewed by local outlets appears to show the flag-bearing jumper make a sharp downward dip just above the grandstands before hitting the ground hard, according to CBS Sacramento. The station reports the footage was captured by a spectator shortly after 7 p.m. during the rodeo.
Report: Flag May Have Snagged Tree Before Impact
FOX40 reported that a separate social-media clip appears to show the American flag becoming tangled in a tree, sending the parachutist into what the outlet described as a "face plant" at roughly a 90-degree angle. FOX40 noted it was still working to verify the video's authenticity and to confirm the jumper's condition in its early report.
Rodeo Tradition Plays To Sold-Out Crowd
The flag-and-skydiver drop is a nightly staple of the Independence Day run at Dan Russell Arena, which was sold out for this year's shows, according to KCRA. Witnesses told reporters the jumper walked onto the arena floor and waved to the crowd after the hard landing, CBS Sacramento reports.
Officials Quiet As Outlets Work To Confirm Details
FOX40 said it had not independently confirmed the skydiver's injuries and was continuing to review the footage in its initial coverage. At the time of those early reports, neither rodeo organizers nor Folsom police had issued a detailed public statement, and local broadcasters said they would update audiences if officials release more information.
