A 28-year-old Boston man died Sunday after a skydiving accident at Jumptown Skydiving in Orange, according to prosecutors. A preliminary investigation indicates a sudden gust of wind disrupted his parachute near the end of the jump, sending him falling roughly 30 feet to the ground. He was taken to Athol Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
What officials say
According to NBC Boston, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office said Monday that the jumper fell about 30 feet after a gust of wind interfered with his parachute. The office said state and local police were investigating the scene and that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. NBC Boston also reported that the station had reached out to Jumptown Skydiving for comment.
Where it happened
Jumptown operates out of Orange Municipal Airport and lists its address as 31 C Street in Orange. The drop zone offers tandem, student and experienced-jumper programs. The company’s website states that staff closely monitor weather conditions before approving jumps and highlights decades of experience at the location.
Investigation under way
The incident remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the Orange Police Department, the Athol Daily News reports. That outlet says responders were called to the drop zone at about 4 p.m. on Sunday and that the medical examiner will review the death.
Jumptown's recent safety context
Jumptown has seen fatalities in recent years. The Greenfield Recorder reported a midair collision in October 2025 that left 62-year-old Robert Szabo of Connecticut hospitalized and later dead. Local reporting noted that the earlier incident was investigated by state police and federal authorities and that Jumptown said the injured jumper had landed on airport property under a functioning parachute.
This remains a developing story. NBC Boston reported that the man’s name has not yet been released and that the outlet has contacted Jumptown for comment. We will update as authorities or Jumptown provide more information.
