Experienced Sport Parachutist Falls to his Death in Molalla

The parachutist who died earlier today has been identified as an extremely competent and expert parachutist from Casa Grande, Arizona.

Photos (below) courtesy of Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - On Friday, August 06, 2010, at 12:51 p.m. a man described as a very experienced skydiving instructor fell to his death while performing a high-performance maneuver at the Skydive Oregon parachuting facility in Molalla, Oregon.

This Skydive Oregon facility is located at 12150 S Hwy 211, in Molalla. He has been identified as Paul Matthew Hardin, 36-years-old, of Casa Grande, Arizona.

The expert skydiving instructor is reported to have been attempting a high-performance parachuting maneuver – utilizing the declared jumping zone for experts – when he fell to his death.

Investigators report this was not an equipment malfunction, but the regrettable result of human error.

A number of medical personnel were immediately available at the scene and began administering emergency life saving efforts to the victim. Unfortunately, this victim parachutist was pronounced dead at the scene.

American Medical Response and Molalla Fire personnel also responded to the scene to assist. In addition, the Clackamas County Deputy Medical Examiner responded to investigate and to attend to the deceased.

Photos: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office