Two skydivers collide in Arizona, plummet to deaths

TUCSON -- Arizona police are investigating the deaths of two skydivers who collided and then plummeted to the ground after the canopies of their parachutes collapsed.

The skydivers were foreigners who were part of a group of 200 men and women who jumped Tuesday afternoon using nine planes at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, which is halfway between Phoenix and Tucson. The training facility touts its drop zone as the largest in the world.

Police received a report of the accident at 4:51 p.m. Tuesday. One skydiver was declared dead at the scene and another was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Eloy Police Sgt. Brian Jerome said in a statement.

Witnesses told police that the skydivers collided 200 to 300 feet above the ground.

A third skydiver also was injured, Jerome said.

The names of the deceased have not been released because police have not received confirmation from consulate officials that their families had been notified.

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cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

@thecindycarcamo