A Gilbert man tragically lost his life during a skydiving accident last Saturday, marking the second such death within just eight days in the Eloy area. Shawn Bowen, 46, was pronounced dead from injuries sustained when his parachute failed to deploy properly, resulting in what officials described as a "hard landing." This devastating incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. as Bowen jumped near the Eloy Municipal Airport, reportedly wearing a wingsuit-type apparatus.
Authorities responded quickly to the scene after receiving reports of a parachutist experiencing difficulties during freefall. Upon investigation, the Eloy Police Department noted the circumstances surrounding Bowen's tragic death were under thorough review. Detective Edmonds stated, "During freefall, for reasons unknown at this time, his parachute did not deploy, resulting in fatal impact." The investigation team is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to gather witness statements and understand the sequence of events leading up to the accident.
This incident isn’t isolated; it follows just eight days after another skydiving-related fatality. On January 24, Ann Wick, 55, from Minnesota, also died under similar circumstances. She experienced parachute deployment failures during her jump from Skydive Arizona. Eyewitnesses recounted to law enforcement how, following her expected free fall, the parachute deployed correctly but seemed to turn erratically. Despite attempts at corrective actions, no reserve parachute was deployed, leading to her tragic death.
The Eloy Police Department confirmed Wick’s accident had raised concerns within the local skydiving community, prompting safety discussions and investigation reviews. Respecting the gravity of these incidents, police extended their condolences to the grieving families. "Our hearts go out to the loved ones of Mr. Bowen and Ms. Wick during this difficult time," the police department stated.
Adding to the troubling trend, just days prior to these deaths, another skydiver, 73-year-old Terry Gardner, lost his life on January 31, 2024, after making a hard landing without fully deployed parachutes. Gardner was described as experienced, having completed thousands of jumps over his career. The string of fatalities has drawn attention both locally and nationally toward skydiving safety protocols and regulations. Eloy, known for its skydiving facilities, has previously been the site of several accidents, but incidents accumulating within such short timeframes are alarming.
After each fatality, the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office was involved, conducting autopsies to determine more details surrounding the causes of death. A representative from the office assured the public, "We are thorough in our investigations to determine all contributing factors to these occurrences. Safety is our utmost priority."
Skydiving remains an exhilarating activity for many, but these unfortunate occurrences highlight the immense risks involved. Witnesses reported Bowen's parachute failure raised immediate concerns about equipment maintenance and training procedures provided by local skydiving operators. Local skydivers echoed the necessity of stringent guidelines to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
The investigations are still active, and both the Eloy Police Department and FAA are urging anyone with information about these fatalities to come forward. Interested parties can contact Detective Edmonds at 520-466-7324, referencing case numbers related to each incident. The skydiving community is bracing itself for what could be significant changes as investigations proceed.
While the thrill of freefalling is cherished by enthusiasts, the recent fatalities have cast shadows over this popular pastime. The call for reform and enhanced safety measures grows louder. Advocates within the community hope to raise awareness for safety and proper training, aiming to honor the legacies of Bowen and Wick.
Authorities will continue to provide updates as investigations develop. Until more is known, many within the Eloy area are left mourning and recalling the joyous moments shared with Bowen and Wick, who both loved skydiving!