Soldier lands safely after skydive instructor dies

[David]

AP


CHESTER, S.C. – A Georgia-based soldier says his military training helped him land safely on his first skydiving jump after the instructor strapped to his back died from an apparent heart attack.

Daniel Pharr says he knew something was wrong when George Steele stopped answering his questions after their parachute deployed Saturday afternoon above South Carolina. They jumped from 13,500 feet.

Pharr says he didn't panic because of his Army training, and he knew from watching television to use the parachute toggles to steer.

The 25-year-old, stationed at Fort Gordon, Ga., says the nonmilitary jump was a Christmas gift from his girlfriend.

Pharr says he tried unsuccessfully to revive Steele with CPR when they landed.





Daniel Pharr is seen in a family handout photo released Monday, Feb. 2, 2009.

[Packo]

and whoever invented the chutes that automatically deploy.

Skydiving....no thanks. Not even for this old Para.

Pack