Agra: In a tragic incident during a demonstration jump in Agra, a para jump instructor from the Indian Air Force’s elite Akash Ganga Skydiving Team lost his life after his parachute failed to open in time. The mishap occurred on Saturday morning, April 5, during a routine display exercise, as per reports.
Parachute Malfunction Led to the Fatal Fall
According to a PTI report, the deceased has been identified as Warrant Officer Ramkumar Tiwari, aged 41. The incident took place around 9:30 AM, when Tiwari jumped from a helicopter as part of a scheduled "demo drop" over Agra. However, due to a reported technical malfunction, his parachute did not deploy in time, resulting in a hard fall.
Sources confirmed that the injured officer was rushed to the Military Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The Sadar police station was informed about the death around 12 noon, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinayak Bhosale. “Information about the death was received from the Military Hospital at around 12 noon. The Sadar police station has sent the body for postmortem examination,” he told the news agency.
IAF Releases Official Statement
The IAF expressed its grief over the loss on social media. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the IAF wrote: "A Para Jump Instructor from the IAF’s Akash Ganga Skydiving Team succumbed to injuries sustained during a Demo Drop at Agra today. The IAF deeply mourns the loss, and extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, standing firmly with them in this hour of grief."
Warrant Officer Tiwari was a seasoned instructor with years of experience in parachuting operations. An inquiry into the technical failure has been initiated, and further details are awaited.
