Skydivers fall to their deaths during Rio Olympic Rings performance
The two men collided mid-air when it is believed their parachutes became intertwined causing their fall, according to Boituva Fire Department
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two skydivers have fallen to their deaths while performing an Olympic Rings aerial routine in Brazil.
A group of 28 skydivers had attempted to recreate the five Olympic rings while in freefall over Boituva, a town 72 miles west of São Paulo.
Boituva Fire Department told G1 the two men collided mid-air when it is believed their parachutes became intertwined, causing their fall.
The two men were named as National skydiving champion Gustavo Correa Garcez, 39, and instructor Guilherme Bastos Padilha, 47.
Correa Garcez died at a nearby hospital minutes after arriving while Bastos Padilha died at the scene due to traumatic brain injury.
Police are now investigating and testing the equipment the two men used.
The Rio 2016 organising committee have stated the aerial performance was part of the official build-up to the opening ceremony on August 5.
Near the Olympic volleyball arena, mutilated body parts have been discovered on Rio's Copacabana beach.
The gruesome discovery came after more than a week of deadly gun battles in the city’s slums amid attempts to capture a Brazilian drug trafficker who escaped a hospital recommended to tourists.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments