With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. McCausland said he couldnt speak further to those points and referred technical questions to the Federal Aviation Administration. Skydive New England | Lebanon ME He was the most unique person I have ever known, one who made choice because it was what he wanted, never because it was what someone else wanted or expected and I will envy that part of Brett for the rest of my life.. Skydive Danielson - #1 Choice for skydiving in CT, MA and RI In addition to being a skydiving instructor, Bickford had a private pilots license, a drone license and was a member of the US Parachute Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, according to his obituary. Skydive New England Waiver - Smartwaiver The student landed. Following a two month probe, the state medical examiner determinedBickfords death was a suicide. The second jumper, who was not identified landed safely during the jump despite Bickfords actions, state police said. Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, New Hampshire, died on Sept. 27 after detaching himself a mile above the ground during a two-man jump at Skydive New England in Lebanon, where hed worked as an instructor for the past decade,the Portland Press Herald reported. THE SECOND JUMPER LANDED SAFELY WITH THE PARACHUTE. "He's calming you down. Steve McCausland, a spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, told the newspaper that Bickford, who had been an instructor at Skydive New England in Lebanon for 10 years, did not leave a suicide note. We're on 240 acres of untouched woodland, right in the middle of quintessential New England forest. In this case, if his death was in fact a suicide, it appears he intentionally detached himself from the equipment, Koreen said in an email Monday night. Other industry experts have told other media outlets a midair instructor separation is unheard of.. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. McCausland said the business and Bickford's family have been notified of investigators' determination. Cpl. A New Hampshire skydiving instructor intentionally took his own life by undoing his harness during a tandem jump, police say. Becker has said her company would withhold further personal comment about Bickford out of respect to his family. We have taken people from ages 18 to 80, and now it's your turn! Police say Bickford was separated during the jump from a. McCausland said State Police havent charged or cited anyone in connection with Bickfords death. ", Each drop zone, the location where the skydivers land, has its own "safety and training advisers.". A multiagency search of the wooded area around Skydive New England began shortly thereafter. Skydiving experts have found it nearly impossible for Bickfords death to be an accident as they claim no instructor at his level would make that mistake, Spokesman for the Main Department of Public Safety Steve McCausland explained to The Press Herald. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Skydive Newport is just minutes from Massachusetts and has been serving guests from all over MA for nearly 20 years. Brian Naiman, a full-time skydiving instructor who reached out to Fosters Daily Democrat following Bickfords death, said thats because an instructor and student share a backup parachute in a tandem jump. New England Skydiving Accident | New England Aviation History The obituary also describes Bickford as a lifelong Rochester resident, a pilot, a drone designer and builder, and a 10-year employee of Skydive New England, calling him an "amazing smart young man" and a "free spirit.". The incident took place in Maine, where Bickford had been an instructor with Skydive New England for at least 10 years. In this case, if his death was in fact a suicide, it appears he intentionally detached himself from the equipment, Koreen told via the Portland Press. Maine State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration worked together to determine how Bickford fell to his death, authorities said. Investigators have also said Bickford didnt have a separate backup parachute. According to News Center Maine, Skydive New England has experienced several incidents over the past couple of years with skydivers getting injured and one person dying in 2002. Police said Monday the state medical examiner's office ruled 41-year-old Brett Bickford's death as a suicide. The Maine Warden Service, State Police, and Search and Rescue teams found Brett Bickford, of Rochester, N.H., Friday evening in a wooded area near the runway at the Skydive New England facility in Lebanon, ME. The second man in the tandem jump landed safely with the parachute. Groups of 10 or more enjoy $35 off each. Other industry experts have told other media outlets a midair instructor separation is unheard of.. The student landed safely using the parachute attached to his harness, according to police. They said it was highly unlikely the detachment was unintentional due to the mechanics of tandem harnesses and procedures used in the industry. Investigators determined Bickford intentionally loosened his harness in midair. Bickford, a lifelong Rochester resident, had a pilots license and a drone license, and was designing and building drones, his obituary said. Skydive New England spokeswoman Erin Becker said her company will fully cooperate with the FAA's thorough inspection of the equipment and procedures used during the fatal jump. On the afternoon of December 2, 1973, several sky divers were making parachute jumps over the area of the Laurel Lane Golf Course in South Kingston, not far from the Richmond Airport. Just one day after the tragic incident, Bickfords body was found 750 feet southwest of the Lebanon Airport runway, The Tribune reported. Maine State Police spokesperson Steve McCausland announced Monday his departmentsinvestigation had been completed just ahead of the two-month anniversary of the 41-year-old Rochester residents death. Skydive New England officials couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday. Located just minutes from historic Newport, RI, we offer stunning coastal views that you won't find anywhere else in New England. Nancy Koreen, director of sport promotion at the Virginia-based organization said was told by staffers that Bickford adjusted his leg straps and other securing harnesses after the tandem parachute opened seconds after jumping out of a plane. Because of the complexity of the case, I expect this will continue for several weeks, he said. Bickford was a member of the U.S. Parachute Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Skydiving in MA | Skydive near MA | Skydive Newport When asked for an update about the FAAs investigation and what the agency has determined, an FAA spokesperson instructed Fosters Daily Democrat to file a federal Freedom of Information Act request for the investigative report. Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, N.H., died on Sept. 27 after he separated from his student and fell a mile to his death, Maine State Police said. Search crews looking for a missing Maine skydiver. All rights reserved. Investigators have said Bickford and the student became separated about a mile above the ground following their jump at 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Free Fall Skydiving, Tandem Skydiving | Skydive New England A Skydiving Oasis In The Heart of New England Book Now Seize the Day! The tandem jump was conducted by Skydive New England in Lebanon, where Bickford had been an instructor for 10 years. Details have been limited as authorities have worked to determine how the separation occurred. The White Mountains are on one side of us, and the Atlantic Ocean is on the other - it's beautiful here. Monroe Township, N.J. A man died in a skydiving incident in Williamstown, N.J. Sunday evening, officials said. Skydive Pepperell - Closest Skydive To Boston! The Associated Press contributed to this report. Amy Lou Smith, from Tipton near Dudley, will perform in the . Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said Bickford did not leave a suicide note. Jordan Hatmaker . Maine State Police said the death of a skydiver killed during a jump in September in Lebanon was a suicide.Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, New Hampshire, was an instructor at Skydive New England when he was killed in the Sept. 27 jump.Investigators determined Bickford intentionally loosened his harness in midair.The second jumper landed safely with the parachute.State police interviews with other skydivers and industry officials concluded no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake.Bickford's body was located the following day in woods near the skydiving facility. All rights reserved, Man, Boy Dead in New Bedford Murder-Suicide; Apparent Ties to Missing Woman, This 36-Year-Old Bought an Abandoned House for Just $1 and Fully Renovated ItLook Inside Her Dream Home', MIAA Refuses to Let Senior Run Last Race of Her High School Career Over Clerical Error, Authorities on Scene at Car Crash in Westborough. You Can Still Snag These 19 Post-Memorial Day Sales Until the End of the Week, 10 Best Memorial Day Bedding Sales of 2023 You Cannot Snooze On This Summer, Where to Buy Limited Edition 'The Little Mermaid' Dolls Before They Sell Out (Again! Tandem jumps typically are made with the student and instructor in separate harnesses that are attached, with the instructor secured behind the student. When are you open? Im thankful for being able to grow up with him and to have such an amazing person to look up to and just watch how he lived life. An experienced skydiver who fell to his death during a tandem jump in Mainehas been found to have intentionally loosened his harness in midair to commit suicide. State police based their findings on interviews with other skydiving instructors and industry officials, who agreed that no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake. Skydive New England is located at 40 Skydive Lane, Lebanon, Maine 04027. All Rights Reserved. Jumptown Skydiving - New England's Oldest Skydiving Dropzone Legacy.com guestbook attached to his obituary, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Skydiver survives after slamming to the ground at 125 mph Invest in Your Happiness Tandem Skydive First time skydiving? Bickford, an instructor at Skydive New England, was jumping with a second man at the time. Skydiving Instructor Loosens His Harness, Falls to His Death Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland said Wednesday that State Police continue to investigate Bickfords death along with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Sign up and we'll help you stay connected to Vacationland by sending our twice-a-month newsletter to your inbox. (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Two critical questions remain unanswered in the case of a 41-year-old skydiving instructor who fell to his death Thursday in Lebanon: how and why did this happen? He amazed me at everything he did and was always great at anything he felt was worth his time, Jason wrote on Facebook. Investigators have concluded that Bickford's death during a tandem jump on Sept. 27 was a suicide. The loosening of the harness did not affect the parachute attached to the student and thus he was able to land safely with a parachute, said McCausland. "They still happen, but they sure happen with less frequency. Koreen said that tandem skydiving has a solid safety record, with an average of one student fatality per 500,000 tandem jumps over the past decade. Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, N.H.,died on Sept. 27 after he separated from his student and fell a mile to his death, Maine State Police said. The student landed safely with the parachute. SKYDIVING, PARACHUTING, AND THEIR RELATED ACTIVITIES CAN BE DANGEROUS AND THERE ARE RISKS INVOLVED IN YOUR PARTICIPATION. Experienced skydiving instructor committed suicide by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was also involved in the investigation into Bickfords death. Skydive New England did not immediately respond for PEOPLEs request for comment. Skydive New England coupons |15% Off | May 2023 - Coupert US State Police interviews with other skydivers and industry officials concluded that no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake, said McCausland. The jump began like any other from a Twin Otter plane at the Pepperell Airport, but then investigators believe something went wrong with the 60-year-old's parachute. Groups of 10 or more enjoy $35 off each. The system is designed to provide a main and backup parachute for the instructor/student pair and to ensure that they do not become separated during the jump, said Brian Naiman, a full-time skydiving instructor who has done close to 2,000 jumps and 800 tandem jumps over the last seven years. The student, who has not been named, landed safely and is unharmed, The Press Herald reported. November 26, 2018 / 2:43 PM $270 Book Now Group Skydiving The more the merrier! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). State Police interviews with other skydivers and industry officials concluded that no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake, said McCausland. Were anxious to get through it and see if it sheds any light on anything, she said in early October. $235 $270 Book Now Special Tandem Rates *Discounts cannot be combined. SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. McCausland said the business and Bickford's family have been notified of investigators' determination. The instructor wears the parachute and controls its deployment during free-fall and landings. Those who knew Brett know he had a free spirit of life to live one day at a time, his obituary said. WHERE to get help if you or anyone you know is battling depression or has had suicidal thoughts: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255. April 11, 2022 1:38pm. Bickford's body was located the following day in woods near the skydiving facility. Brett Bickford suicide: Skydive New England skydiving mystery death There are two USPA advisers at Skydive New England. Skydive Coastal Maine features one of the most scenic skydiving experiences currently available in New England! RELATED: Minnesota Man Survives Near-Death Mauling While Hiking in Remote Wilderness: It Ripped Me Around.
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