Fort Lee soldier fatally injured in parachute training jump
A soldier from the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Fort Lee died yesterday from injuries he suffered when he became entangled in power lines during a routine parachute training jump.
The soldier's name was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The training accident occurred about 10:25 a.m. in the River Road landing zone on the north end of the base after the soldier jumped out of a Black Hawk helicopter. Dominion Virginia Power cut service to the lines by 10:35 a.m.. and the soldier was retrieved.
The landing zone is designated for parachute jumps, and soldiers usually conduct such training every couple of weeks, said Keith Desbois, media relations officer at Fort Lee.
"They're practicing to be proficient, get certified with
parajumping," Desbois said.
Fort Lee personnel administered CPR until emergency services arrived. The soldier was removed from the scene at 10:57 a.m. and transported to Southside Regional Hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead at 11:12 a.m.
The death is under investigation.
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