74-Year-Old Paramus Man Dies In Skydiving Accident

MONROE COUNTY, PA – A New Jersey man died in a skydiving accident on Sunday, police said.

Edward Harney, 74, of Paramus was pronounced dead shortly after the fall, police said.

The incident happened around 11:35 a.m. when police responded to Smithfield Township in Pennsylvania on a report of a parachuter in the woods.

Police then located Harney approximately 363 feet east of Airport Road.

After speaking with friends, police learned that Harney was an experienced skydiver who had just had his jumping gear serviced prior to the jump.

Harney had jumped multiple times at Sky's the Limit Inc. and was accompanied by three other experienced jumpers, police said.

Harney and three other jumpers along with a pilot traveled to an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet before all four jumped together from the plane, police said.

At approximately 5,000 feet, all parties broke apart and it appeared as if Harney's parachute opened, police said.

Harney began to spiral and spin until his parachute was separated from him. He then disappeared into the wood line.

The Monroe County Coroner's Office pronounced Harney dead at 1:13 p.m. Harney was removed from the scene and an autopsy will be scheduled.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and will be collecting all parachute apparatus. An investigation is underway.