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Skydiver Hits Virginia Tech Scoreboard, Rescued as Spring Game Starts Late

The mishap highlights how sudden wind shifts can turn stadium skydives into risky rescues.

Overview

  • A pregame parachute drop at Lane Stadium, which unfolded Saturday in roughly 15 mph winds, ended with a skydiver striking the scoreboard and delaying kickoff by about an hour.
  • Fire crews brought in a crane after the first ladder could not reach the height, then secured the jumper and lowered him to the ground.
  • Virginia Tech and campus police said he was stable and treated on-site with no hospital trip, and a local reporter later saw him walking with his arm in a sling.
  • The parachute caught between the “C” and “H” atop the video board, ripping off paneling as parts of the sign and a released flag fell into the stands.
  • University officials said three jumpers took part, with one landing on the field, another drifting to a practice field, and the third later identified as Pasha Palanker who blamed shifting winds and mentioned a shoulder injury.