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Man Seriously Injured In Skydiving Accident In Wantage, NJ

WANTAGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - A man was very seriously injured in a skydiving accident in Wantage, NJ Thursday afternoon.

The man's chute did open but it was upon landing that something went horribly wrong, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.

"Our hearts go out to his family and friends. He's a real gentleman," said Skydive Sussex Owner Curt Kellinger.

Kellinger and others identified the man only as Paul. They said he has over 800 jumps to his credit and is an experienced skydiver, Carlin reported.

"There were about 14 people in the plane," Kellinger said. "We reviewed his camera footage with the police and it seemed like a very uneventful jump right until where he initiated the turn to the ground."

"He turned very low near the ground which caused a loss of altitude quickly. Before the canopy could level out and recover he struck the ground," Kellinger told Carlin.

The man was flown to Morristown Medical Center in very serious condition, Carlin reported.

"This isn't tennis, it's skydiving and everybody who does it accepts the responsibility of stepping out of that plane," Kellinger said.

State Police investigators are reviewing video footage of the jump as the investigation continues.

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