One person killed in skydiving accident in Chester County, officials say

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - A person was killed in a skydiving accident in Chester County, officials confirmed.

According to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday near the Chester-Catawba Regional Airport.

Officials said Skydive Carolina was the company involved in the incident.

In a press release, Skydive Carolina said that the victim was a 35-year-old male who was ‘highly experienced and had made more than 1,000 previous jumps.

The coroner later identified him as Andrew Kelly Rawls of Waxhaw, N.C.

The company said that the incident happened following the landing portion of the dive. It also said that Rawls was jumping alone and was using his own parachute equipment.

Skydive Carolina said witnesses did not report anything unusual about the free-fall sequence of the dive but said Rawls did not level the parachute, which was reportedly opened, for a safe and controlled landing.

Company personnel is working with authorities to investigate the situation.

The following statement was included in the press release from Skydive Carolina:

“Skydiving is a close-knit sport with a strong sense of camaraderie. Losing a member of our community affects everyone and we mourn the loss of a friend and fellow jumper. Our sincerest condolences go out to the jumper’s family.”

The man’s name has not yet been released.

According to previous WBTV reports, Saturday’s death marks at least the eighth involving Skydive Carolina in the past 11 years.