Parachute accident seriously injures skydiver performing at CornBelters opener

Posted on May 12, 2018
Normal Police say the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a parachute accident east of the Corn Crib that badly injured a skydiver. (Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – A skydiver was badly hurt Friday night in a parachute accident near the Corn Crib in Normal.

The skydiver, carrying an American flag, was supposed to land at the Corn Crib for the Normal CornBelters home opener. He wound up in a parking lot off Traders Circle, east of the ballpark and the North Meadow Village Mobile Homes.

Normal Police Sgt. Michael Chiesi said the man was taken to Advocate BroMenn Medical Center with serious injuries.

“The parachute malfunctioned or something on the way down, and he fell and hit the parking lot at a pretty high rate, it appears,” said Chiesi.

“We’re going to expect the worst and hope for the best,” Chiesi added.

CornBelters President Steve Malliet said the skydiver was from the Illinois Valley Parachute Club, based in Minier, in Tazewell County.

Police said the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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