On Wednesday evening, July 9, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a skydiving incident involving an uncontrolled descent in the area of 8887 S. Illinois Route 251, Rochelle, Illinois.
Upon arrival, deputies located a male subject in the parking lot of the facility who had suffered significant injuries. He was transported to Rochelle Community Hospital by the Rochelle Fire Department, where he was later pronounced deceased. The individual was identified as a 40-year-old male. His name is being withheld pending family notification.
A second skydiver involved in the incident was located at Koritz Field–Rochelle Municipal Airport, and was transported to Rochelle Community Hospital with minor injuries.
Preliminary investigation indicates the two skydiver’s collided mid-air, resulting in canopy collapses for both individuals. Reserve parachutes were deployed, but the collision led to the uncontrolled descent of one skydiver.
The incident remains under investigation by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with federal authorities.
