A 28-year-old tandem skydiving instructor and her student died from injuries sustained in a hard landing after encountering a “dust devil” while descending toward Perris Valley Airport.
The accident happened on Friday, August 2, around 2:30 PM in an open field on the 2000 Block of Goetz Road. No equipment problems were reported and the skydive, which includes a free fall and parachute deployment, appeared normal, according to witness reports. As the pair prepared to land, they were hit by a “dust devil,” or dust-filled vortex, which forced a hard landing due to turbulence, Skydive Perris manager Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld said.
Both died after being admitted to hospital with serious injuries. The instructor, described as a beloved member of the skydiving community and an employee of Skydive Perris, was identified as Devrey LaRiccia of Menifee, officials said.
Details of the student were not released pending notification of next of kin.
“The skydiving community is small and close-knit, and this tragic loss has deeply affected the Skydive Perris community. Devrey LaRiccia lived life to the fullest and inspired all of her colleagues. She is passionate about introducing others to the sport of skydiving. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of both Devrey and the student,” Skydive Perris Management said in a statement.
Lady devils are often seen during the summer in flat areas with high temperatures and mostly clear skies. Although smaller and less intense than tornadoes, the dust-filled eddies can range from 10 to 300 feet and reach several thousand feet with wind speeds of 60 mph or more in larger dust devils, according to the National Weather Service.
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