URGENT UPDATE: A devastating skydiving accident occurred near Nashville, Tennessee, on October 4, 2025, when a 35-year-old skydiving instructor was found dead after a tandem jump gone wrong. Rescuers successfully saved a second skydiver who became trapped in a tree with an open parachute.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed that the instructor’s body was discovered in a wooded area near Ashland City Highway. The surviving skydiver, suspended for several hours, was rescued by the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) using a ladder and pulley system. Authorities report that the survivor is “awake, alert, and in stable condition” after the harrowing ordeal.
According to MNPD, the incident unfolded when the skydiver became separated from the instructor during the jump. The police stated, “The instructor is presumed to have fallen from the sky without a parachute.” This shocking revelation has sent ripples through the skydiving community.
Go Skydive Nashville, the company involved, expressed their sorrow over the incident, calling it a “tragic loss of life.” They are fully cooperating with ongoing investigations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also been notified and will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of this tragic accident.
In a tweet, the NFD reported on the successful rescue, stating, “UPDATE: NFD rescuer safely reached the parachute jumper, freed him from the harness & assisted him down the ladder.” The survivor was later transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure.
The skydiving industry is generally considered safe, with the United States Parachute Association (USPA) reporting only nine fatalities out of 3.88 million skydives in 2024—a record low since records began in 1961. However, the USPA attributes most accidents to “simple human error.”
Go Skydive Nashville emphasizes the rigorous training their instructors undergo, stating that they must complete extensive training and certification before conducting tandem jumps. Each instructor is equipped with both main and reserve parachutes, with all gear undergoing “stringent checks” before every jump.
This tragic event has raised concerns about safety practices in the skydiving industry. As investigations proceed, more details are expected to emerge. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
