Woman critically injured in hard landing while skydiving in DeLand

DeLAND, Fla. — A 21-year-old woman was critically injured Wednesday evening when she landed hard while skydiving, the city of DeLand said.

The hard landing was reported shortly after 5:30 p.m. near Skydive DeLand at the DeLand Municipal Airport, said Chris Graham, a city spokesman.

The woman, later identified as Samantha Smith, was flown to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach and is in critical condition, Graham said.

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"Police are investigating the circumstances of the woman’s hard landing, but it initially appears there may have been an issue with the parachute," he said.

In 2015, two skydivers collided, killing Jessica Edgeington, 33, of Georgia.

Officials said Edgeington was an instructor who trained military personnel and often worked at Skydive DeLand.

In 2016, officials said a skydiver was taken to a hospital after a hard landing, but his or her injuries were not serious.

In 2017, a 40-year-old man injured his head and broke his leg after he had an issue with his parachute.

Skydive DeLand said he had completed more than 200 jumps prior to that jump.

Wednesday's incident remains under investigation.

No other details were given.

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