Student killed in skydiving accident

CEBU, Philippines - A medical student plunged to his death after his parachute failed to deploy properly last Thursday afternoon at the Ormoc City Airport.

The victim was identified to be Louie Raymond Pestaño, 24, of Victor Village, Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City.

Pestaño who is a student of the University of Santo Tomas, plunged to his death after his parachute did not deploy properly after he jumped from the plane in what was supposed to be his first skydive. 

The Cessna plane piloted by Capt. Joseph Brent Chiong was at an altitude of three kilometers when the victim jumped off the plane around 3:30 p.m.

When the victim was estimated at 2.5 kilometers from the ground he opened his parachute but it reportedly twisted in mid-air and did not deploy properly. His impact with the ground was such that he was found seemingly partially buried in a ricefield already dead. 

He was still rushed to the Ormoc City Sugar Planters Association Hospital where doctors said that the victim suffered numerous broken bones in various parts of his body.    

The victim was assisted by his parachute instructor, Garry Soria of the Cebu Sky Diving Club and another unidentified companion. The police are currently investigating if there was human error involved in the incident.

The remains of the victim arrived in Cebu City yesterday. — with Lalaine Jimenea and Isobelle Karen A. Clitar, PIT /BRP (FREEMAN)