2nd Fatal Skydiving Accident In 1 Week In Hudson Valley

GARDINER, NY — For the second time in eight days, there was a fatal skydiving accident in the town of Gardiner. State police said David H. Richardson, 41, of Gardiner, was trying to do a "swoop landing" when he landed at "a high rate of speed."

The incident happened around 5:40 p.m. Sunday at 55 Sand Hill Road in Gardiner.

Police said Richardson was taken to Westchester Medical Center via Lifenet where he died of his injuries.

On June 28, William McCartin, 40, of New York, was skydiving from a plane that took off from Skydive the Ranch in Gardiner.

Authorities said he jumped out of the plane at about 14,000 feet along with another person and was wearing a parachute at the time.

McCartin hit the ground in the parking lot of the Gardiner Fire Department on Route 44/55. He died of his injuries.

State police are still searching for his parachute and pack.

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