Bickford's body was recovered the next day in some woods near the skydiving facility. State Police interviews with other skydivers and industry officials concluded that no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake, Maine State Police said in a statement obtained by the nypost. Jumptown Skydiving - New England's Oldest Skydiving Dropzone America's Oldest Skydiving Dropzone Experienced Skydivers - Safety Day will be on April 2nd Operations start April 8! The system is designed to provide a main and backup parachute for the instructor/student pair and to ensure that they do not become separated during the jump, said Brian Naiman, a full-time skydiving instructor who has done close to 2,000 jumps and 800 tandem jumps over the last seven years. Authorities said the State Medical Examiner's Office concluded that the Sept. 27 death of 41-year-old Brett Bickford, of Rochester, New Hampshire was a suicide. Fosters filed a request Monday afternoon. The loosening of the harness did not affect the parachute attached to the student and thus he was able to land safely with a parachute, said McCausland. Police said they spoke with other skydiving instructors and industry officials, who all concluded that no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake, the Portland Press Herald reported. Becker has also said Bickford and his family have been in the hearts and minds of the companys staff and students since Bickfords death. Skydive Coastal Maine features one of the most scenic skydiving experiences currently available in New England! A spokesman for the Maine State Police said Bickford who was a member of the US Parachute Association did not leave behind a suicide note. Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said Bickford did not leave a suicide note. Skydive New England (Lebanon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Invest in Your Happiness Tandem Skydive First time skydiving? The United States Parachute Association, which issues the safety standards for the skydiving industry, reports that tandem jumps, on average, are safer than solo jumps: for every 500,000 jumps, one student dies. Sign up and we'll help you stay connected to Vacationland by sending our twice-a-month newsletter to your inbox. Skydive New England coupons |15% Off | May 2023 - Coupert US The incident took place in Maine, where Bickford had been an instructor with Skydive New England for at least 10 years. Training methods have improved, equipment has improved. Skydiving instructor vanishes in jump over Lebanon; search underway Bickford, 41, of Rochester, died after he and a student became separated in midair during a jump on Sept. 27. Your hearts racing a million miles a minute. Skydiving instructor Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, New Hampshire, fell a mile to his death during a tandem jump on Sept. 27. The instructor wears the parachute and guides the jump. McCausland said State Police havent charged or cited anyone in connection with Bickfords death. I landed safely," said Kinch. Details have been limited as authorities have worked to determine how the separation occurred. Bickford was an instructor with Skydive New England. Bickford was an instructor with Skydive New England. The second jumper landed safely with . Updated: 4:12 PM EST Nov 26, 2018 Show Transcript LEBANON, Maine Maine State Police said the death of a skydiver killed during a jump in September in Lebanon was a suicide. USPA: on average, one student skydiver dies in every 500,000 tandem INVESTIGATORS SAY HE INTENTIONALLY LOOSENED HIS HARNESS IN MIDAIR. When are you open? Groups of 10 or more enjoy $35 off each. According to News Center Maine, Skydive New England has experienced several incidents over the past couple of years with skydivers getting injured and one person dying in 2002. Skydive Pepperell - Closest Skydive To Boston! We're on 240 acres of untouched woodland, right in the middle of quintessential New England forest. 2023 www.fosters.com. ), First published on November 26, 2018 / 2:43 PM. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. Skydive New England coupons & promo codes - 15% Off in May 2023 Skydive New England coupons |15% Off | May 2023 Last updated 9 Skydive New England promo codes on May 22 2023 All (9) Deals (9) From$175 First Jump down to $175 Get Deal Expires:Jun 2, 2023 From$150 Upcoming Events as low as $150 Get Deal Expires:Jun 4, 2023 From$10 Skydiving experts have found it nearly impossible for Bickfords death to be an accident as they claim no instructor at his level would make that mistake, Spokesman for the Main Department of Public Safety Steve McCausland explained to The Press Herald. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. Investigators concluded that Bickford loosened his harness in midair and it was an intentional act, police said in a statement obtained by The New York Post. Bickford, of Rochester, New Hampshire, fell to his death after he and a student became separated during the Sept. 27 jump. Investigators are looking at photo and video evidence from the jump, according to the Maine Warden Service. When asked for an update about the FAAs investigation and what the agency has determined, an FAA spokesperson instructed Fosters Daily Democrat to file a federal Freedom of Information Act request for the investigative report. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. LEBANON, Maine (AP) State police say a skydiving instructor intentionally loosened his harness in midair when he fell to his death in a September tandem jump in Maine. Skydiving death in New Jersey: Dead skydiver who died wasn't wearing Girl, 16, Dies in Australia Shark Attack After Jumping into Water to Swim with Dolphins: 'We Are Devastated', Murdaugh Murders: A Complete Timeline of Alex Murdaugh's Trial, Utah Man Who Killed Wife, 5 Kids Was Previously Accused of Choking Daughter, Who Feared He'd 'Kill Her', Father of Pilot Who Died After Exiting Plane Mid-Air Says Family 'Can't Imagine What Happened', 911 Call Raises Questions About Final Moments of Co-Pilot Who Exited Plane Mid-Flight, Orlando FreeFall Ride to Be Removed Following Teen's Death: 'It's a Little Piece of Justice,' Says Dad, Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Alex's Conviction, Idaho Murders Timeline: Everything to Know About the Case, Police Worker 'Shocked' When He Was Almost Hit by Suspected Plane Part That Fell from the Sky, Idaho Murder Suspect: What We Know About Bryan Kohberger, Toddler Found Alive in Apartment After His Mother and Grandfather Were Shot to Death, A Timeline of Ezra Miller's Recent Controversies, Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023, The Biggest Revelations from Prince Harry's Book 'Spare', Gabby Petito's Parents File $50 Million Lawsuit Against Utah Police Over Her Death, Family of Teen Who Died After Fall from Fla. Amusement Park Ride Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit. Koreen said that tandem skydiving has a solid safety record, with an average of one student fatality per 500,000 tandem jumps over the past decade. Skydivers thrill to jump over Fryeburg - conwaydailysun.com Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, N.H.,died on Sept. 27 after he separated from his student and fell a mile to his death, Maine State Police said. A man is in a critical condition after he was found with serious head injuries on a street in Birmingham. Example video title will go here for this video. RELATED UPDATE | Skydiving instructor's body found. LEBANON, Maine State Police and the state medical examiners office have ruled Skydive New England instructor Brett Bickfords fatal Sept. 27 tandem jump was a suicide. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Brett Bickford, 41,. Maine State Police spokesperson Steve McCausland announced Monday his departmentsinvestigation had been completed just ahead of the two-month anniversary of the 41-year-old Rochester residents death. The system is designed to provide a main and backup parachute for the instructor/student pair AND to ensure that they do not become separated during the jump, Naiman wrote in an email. April 11, 2022 1:38pm. SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Groups of 10 or more enjoy $35 off each. A Skydiving instructor of Rochester, New Hampshire, intentionally loosened his harness and fell to his death in September. SKYDIVING, PARACHUTING, AND THEIR RELATED ACTIVITIES CAN BE DANGEROUS AND THERE ARE RISKS INVOLVED IN YOUR PARTICIPATION. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Experienced skydiving instructor committed suicide by Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Skydive instructor killed during jump committed suicide, police say A multiagency search of the wooded area around Skydive New England began shortly thereafter. A multiagency search of the wooded area around Skydive New England began shortly thereafter. Jumptown Skydiving - New England's Oldest Skydiving Dropzone Skydive New England did not immediately respond for PEOPLEs request for comment. Investigators concluded that Bickford loosened his harness in midair and it was an intentional act.. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping at New England's premier outdoor skydiving facility, located in Ellington, CT. Connecticut Parachutists is ranked one of the best places to skydive, and is home to some of the top tandem skydiving and accelerated freefall instructors in the industry. Skydive Pricing | Lebanon, ME | Skydive New England SKYDIVE NEW ENGLAND - 61 Photos & 51 Reviews - Yelp Mike Kinch, who went skydiving with Bickford in 2016, said Bickford was very safety-conscious, performing numerous safety checks. The cause of his fall had been the focus of a nearly two-month investigation, and skydiving experts said it was difficult to imagine how it could have been an accident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was also involved in the investigation into Bickfords death. INTERVIEWS WITH OTHER SKYDIVERS AND INDUSTRY OFFICIALS CONCLUDED NO EXPERIENCED SKYDIVER WOULD LOOSEN A PARACHUTE HARNESS. 'It's unheard of:' Parachute experts shocked by death in Lebanon Skydive New England Waiver - Smartwaiver Free Fall Skydiving, Tandem Skydiving | Skydive New England There are two USPA advisers at Skydive New England. In this case, if his death was in fact a suicide, it appears he intentionally detached himself from the equipment, Koreen told via the Portland Press. Investigators have said Bickford and the student used the same parachute in the jump, which is typical of a tandem jump. An experienced skydiver who fell to his death during a tandem jump in Mainehas been found to have intentionally loosened his harness in midair to commit suicide. Bickford, an instructor at Skydive New England, was jumping with a second man at the time. The tandem jump was conducted by Skydive New England in Lebanon, where Bickford had been an instructor for 10 years. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The second jumper landed safely with his parachute and had called police when he couldn't find Bickford. YOU CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN SKYDIVING AND ITS RELATED ACTIVITIES McCausland said the business and Bickford's family have been notified of investigators' determination. Take to the skies at Skydive Pepperell! Bickfords body was found the next day about 750 feet southwest of the Lebanon Airport runway by a search and rescue team. Scott says the most curious part of. State police said Monday that the state Medical Examiners Office concluded Bickfords death was a suicide. Nicole Koreen, director of sports promotion for the U.S. Parachute Association, told the newspaper that tandem skydiving has a solid safety record, with an average of one student fatality per 500,000 tandem jumps over the past decade. Police: Man Intentionally Loosened Harness In Fatal Maine Skydive Skydive Newport is just minutes from Massachusetts and has been serving guests from all over MA for nearly 20 years. WHERE to get help if you or anyone you know is battling depression or has had suicidal thoughts: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255. The student landed safely using the parachute attached to his harness, according to police. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. In this case, if his death was in fact a suicide, it appears he intentionally detached himself from the equipment, Koreen said in an email Monday night. The Press Herald also reported that the State Medical Examiners Office has also ruled Bickfords fall a suicide. Danyal Aziz, 28, and Michael Earp, 32, used encrypted communications platform EncroChat to arrange buying and selling cocaine and heroin, investigators said. ), Saatva's Memorial Day Mattress Sale Is Still Going Save 20% With Our Exclusive Code. Bickford was an instructor there and died after investigators believe he fell out of his harness during a tandem jump: where an instructor and student are attached and dive together. All rights reserved. Skydiving instructor who died in tandem jump took his own life, police Legacy.com guestbook attached to his obituary, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. [His death is] just really tragic. LEBANON, Maine State Police and the state medical examiner's office have ruled Skydive New England instructor Brett Bickford's fatal Sept. 27 tandem jump was a suicide. "Most of the incidents that occur occur because either the skydiver did something he shouldn't have done, or did not do something properly that he should have done in the course of that jump.". Skydiving Instructor Loosens His Harness, Falls to His Death Maine State Police say the skydiving instructor who was thought to have become separated from his student during a tandem jump back in September committed suicide. Skydive Pepperell is the closest dropzone to Boston and is located on the border of Massachusetts and Nashua, New Hampshire. Those who knew Brett know he had a free spirit of life to live one day at a time, his obituary said. After the student landed safely without Bickford, he called police because he couldnt find his instructor, Maine Warden Service and Maine State Police officials have said. State police said interviews with other skydivers and industry officials concluded no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake. LEBANON, Maine State Police and the state medical examiner's office have ruled Skydive New England instructor Brett Bickford's fatal Sept. 27 tandem jump was a suicide. We boast an excellent safety record, and all of our instructors are licensed through the United States Parachute . Tandem jumps typically are made with the student and instructor in separate harnesses that are attached, with the instructor secured behind the student. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. They said it was highly unlikely the detachment was unintentional due to the mechanics of tandem harnesses and procedures used in the industry. Police: Skydiving Instructor's Death Ruled a Suicide | New Hampshire Neither of them returned NEWS CENTER Maine's requests for comment. Skydiving in Biddeford, Maine | Skydive Coastal Maine Report: Skydiving instructor commits suicide by releasing harness midair. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. In addition to being a skydiving instructor, Bickford had a private pilots license, a drone license and was a member of the US Parachute Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, according to his obituary. Monroe Township, N.J. A man died in a skydiving incident in Williamstown, N.J. Sunday evening, officials said. Fatal skydive: FAA investigation, healing begin - fosters.com The instructor wears the parachute and controls its deployment during free-fall and landings. We employ state-of-the art training methods, and use only the latest technology in skydiving . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The second jumper, who was not identified landed safely during the jump despite Bickfords actions, state police said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. or redistributed. Brett Bickford suicide: Skydive New England skydiving mystery death Naiman said he has been skydiving for seven years and has close to 2,000 total jumps and 800 tandem jumps under his belt. Other industry experts have told other media outlets a midair instructor separation is unheard of.. The Maine Warden Service, State Police, and Search and Rescue teams found Brett Bickford, of Rochester, N.H., Friday evening in a wooded area near the runway at the Skydive New England facility in Lebanon, ME. Friends rally to support a Maine caregiver who is losing her sight, Mainers wear orange in Augusta, drawing attention to gun violence, Strawberry Moon, bright Venus highlight busy celestial weekend, skydiving instructor who fell to his death Thursday in Lebanon, UPDATE | Skydiving instructor's body found, tandem jumps, on average, are safer than solo jumps. Both people use the same parachute in a tandem jump. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, New Hampshire, was an instructor at Skydive New England when he was killed in the Sept. 27 jump. Get ready for the best friggin' day of your life! The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. RELATED: Minnesota Man Survives Near-Death Mauling While Hiking in Remote Wilderness: It Ripped Me Around. Legal Statement. Skydiving instructor's death ruled suicide Skydiver survives after slamming to the ground at 125 mph Becker has said her company would withhold further personal comment about Bickford out of respect to his family. Tandem Skydiving is the ideal way to make your first skydive. Investigators and Skydive New England have withheld comment about procedures and equipment due to the pending investigation. Skydiving instructor's death ruled suicide Skydive Danielson is popular among first time skydivers all over New England. Skydive New England | Lebanon ME A number of friends and students have posted warm remarks about Bickford on the Legacy.com guestbook attached to his obituary. After Bickfords body was recovered Sept. 28 following an exhaustive two-day search, skydiving instructors contacted Foster's with questions about Bickford's death. Plus, indoor skydiving at the exciting SkyVenture Wind Tunnel in Nashua, NH, just 15 minutes from us! We have taken people from ages 18 to 80, and now it's your turn! "I can say with confidence that this has never happened before," said Scott. Bickford, a veteran instructor, was with a first-time student on a tandem jump on the afternoon of Sept. 27 when the two became separated midair about a mile above the ground, police previously said. It wasnt immediately known Monday how or why Bickford disconnected his harness or how the student landed safely without the aid of an instructor. Safety rules have been refined," said Scott. Bickford, a lifelong Rochester resident, had a pilots license and a drone license, and was designing and building drones, his obituary said. Investigators concluded that Bickford loosened his harness in midair and it was an intentional act.. Updated. Learn more. New England Skydiving Accident | New England Aviation History Skydive New England | Lebanon ME The Best Skydiving & eXtreme Resort in the North East! Bickford, an instructor at Skydive New England, was jumping with a second man at the time. His body was found at approximately 5:25 p.m. Fatal skydive probe called 'complex' - Foster's Daily Democrat Ed Scott, executive director of the USPA, called the instructor's death "unheard of.". He amazed me at everything he did and was always great at anything he felt was worth his time, Jason wrote on Facebook. Skydive New England officials couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday. Skydiving instructor commits suicide by releasing harness midair. Those who knew Brett know he had a free spirit of life to live one day at a time. Following a two month probe, the state medical examiner determinedBickfords death was a suicide. Bickford's body was found about 750 feet from the Lebanon Airport runway on Sept. 28. if you or anyone you know is battling depression or has had suicidal thoughts: Investigators still looking for answers in complex case of skydiver who fell to his death, As trial of ex-priest opens, former altar boy says defendant befriended him, then abused him, Camden captain talks about being charged in crewman's death, At $10 million, one of the priciest homes in Maine history goes to former SEC chair, Seven players, coach removed from Gorham High boys lacrosse team, Trucks brakes locked up before driver hit teen in Gray, report says, Lawmakers recommend replacing popular senior property tax program, Fire at Portland apartment leaves residents homeless. Skydive New England was established in 1984, is known for it's fun and friendly atmosphere and our passion for the sport. Bretts smile and laughter live on in all who knew him.. Death of Skydiver in Maine Ruled Suicide - NECN All Rights Reserved. The student landed safely with the parachute. Bickford, of Rochester, New Hampshire, fell to his death after he and a student became separated during the Sept. 27 jump. Investigators have also said Bickford didnt have a separate backup parachute. A skydiver was killed in an accident in Pepperell, Massachusetts around 3 p.m. on Saturday. We employ state-of-the-art training methods and use only the latest technology in skydiving equipment. $235 $270 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Skydive instructor killed during jump committed suicide, police say, WEBVTT A SHOCKING CONCLUSION TO THE INVESTIGATION INTO A SKYDIVERS DEATH IN LEBANON. About. Skydiving instructor's death was a suicide, Maine police say We're so glad you asked Tandem Skydive Tandem Skydive First time skydiving? It wasnt immediately known Monday how or why Bickford disconnected his harness or how the student landed safely without the aid of an instructor. An experienced skydiving instructor who plunged to his death while flying tandem with a student in Maine deliberately released his safety harness to commit suicide, state police revealed Monday. Market data provided by Factset. An experienced skydiving instructor who fell to his death during a tandem jump in York County in September committed suicide by intentionally undoing his harness, Maine State Police said Monday. Bickford was a member of the U.S. Parachute Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Death of Skydiver in Maine Ruled Suicide - NBC Boston Investigators have concluded that Bickford's death during a tandem jump on Sept. 27 was a suicide. You are missed every day, and will be loved forever, Jason concluded. Nancy Koreen, director of sport promotion at the Virginia-based organization said was told by staffers that Bickford adjusted his leg straps and other securing harnesses after the tandem parachute opened seconds after jumping out of a plane. The second jumper landed safely with the parachute. Bickfords body was found a day later some 750 feet away from the Lebanon Airport by teams from the Maine Association for Search and Rescue, the agencyannounced on Facebook. (Image Credit: Maine Warden Service). McCausland said he couldnt speak further to those points and referred technical questions to the Federal Aviation Administration. State police interviews with other skydivers and industry officials concluded no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake. Bickfords body was found the next day about 750 feet southwest of the Lebanon Airport runway by a team of game wardens, a state trooper and two members of a search-and-rescue team. McCausland said the business and Bickford's family have been notified of investigators' determination. John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service updated the press in September on the search for the body of Brett Bickford at Skydive New England in Lebanon. Skydive New England officials couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday. / CBS Boston. We employ state-of-the-art training methods and use only the latest technology in skydiving equipment. He was the most unique person I have ever known, one who made choice because it was what he wanted, never because it was what someone else wanted or expected and I will envy that part of Brett for the rest of my life.. Brett Bickford, 41, of Rochester, New Hampshire, died on Sept. 27 after detaching himself a mile above the ground during a two-man jump at Skydive New England in Lebanon, where he'd worked as an instructor for the past decade, the Portland Press Herald reported. We are conveniently located 1 hour from Boston, MA, 35 minutes from Providence, RI and 40 minutes from Hartford, CT. 2023 Season April 15 - October 29 Maines medical examiner concluded this week that Bickfords death was a suicide. Police said Monday the state medical examiner's office ruled 41-year-old Brett Bickford's death as a suicide. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement.