Skydiving accident under investigation: Palatka Municipal Airport/ Lt. Jasper Kennedy "Kay" Larkin Field (28J), Florida

PALATKA, Fla. -- A local skydiver died Saturday afternoon in Palatka.  

According to the Palatka Police Department, it happened at Skydive Palatka located on Reid Street.

Investigators said 72 year-old Lawrence Leroy Elmore from Keystone Heights went for a routine jump when people on the ground saw him spinning very fast and noticed his parachute did not open.

Elmore was an experienced skydiver having done more than 6,000 jumps.

"He was a good guy, he used to be a Navy pilot and worked for TWA. He's always given a lot back to the sport," said Art Schaffer, Owner of Skydive Palatka.

It's not the first time Skydive Palatka has had a similar incident. According to Schaffer, two years ago someone also died after he never pulled their parachute.

Action News spoke to a family friend who did not want be identified. According to her, Elmore has been skydiving for more than 25 years and can't believe this happened.

"I have made multiple jumps with Larry and some were a little more reckless than others but that was just Larry's personality," said the family friend.

The Palatka Police Department is still investigating the incident and do not suspect foul play at this time.

Elmore's friends find comfort in knowing he died doing what he loved.

"If you're going to go it's great to be able to go doing what you love and Larry definitely loved skydiving. He lived for it," said the family friend.

Elmore leaves behind two adult children.

http://www.actionnewsjax.com


PALATKA, Fla. -- One skydiver is dead after an accident during a jump, according to the Palatka Police Department.

The victim is identified by police as 73-year-old Lawrence Leroy Elmore from Keystone Heights.

According to Palatka Skydive, Elmore was a veteran skydiver and had executed over 6,000 jumps.

The circumstances surrounding Elmore's death have not been released.

Investigators have been at the Kay Larkin Municipal Airport, in Palatka, since the incident happened Saturday afternoon.


PALATKA, Fla. -- A man has been killed in a skydiving accident in Palatka.

The man was skydiving with the company Skydive Palatka.

In a statement, Art Shaffer, the owner of Skydive Palatka said:

"Right now we are gathering the information we can and police are investigating. Anything else I can tell you at this point is speculation. We take safety very seriously here."