Medford Man Killed in Skydiving Accident

The person killed in Wednesday’s skydiving accident in Calverton has been identified as Gary Messina, of Medford, according to a New York Times report.

Messina, who would have turned 26 on Thursday, died on impact and had been attached to an instructor during a tandem jump at Skydive Long Island.

The incident occurred at about 4 p.m. The instructor was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital and was listed in critical condition, officials said.

Messina, a New York City correction officer, graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 2006, according to his Facebook profile.