Robert Szabo, Connecticut Skydiver, Dies Three Days After Mid-Air Collision in Orange, Massachusetts

A veteran skydiver from Connecticut has died three days after a mid-air collision with another skydiver during a jump over Orange, Massachusetts, authorities confirmed.

Robert Szabo, 62, sustained critical injuries during the Saturday afternoon jump organized by Jumptown Skydiving. Despite landing under a fully functional parachute on airport property, he was transported to a Worcester hospital where he died Tuesday evening, according to Orange Fire Chief James Young.

The second skydiver involved in the collision was not injured.

Jumptown Skydiving released a statement acknowledging the incident:

“On the afternoon of October 4, there was a midair collision between two experienced skydivers. The injured jumper landed on airport property under a fully functioning parachute.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

Szabo was a well-known member of Connecticut Parachutists, a skydiving club in Ellington, Connecticut, where he had been part of the community for more than two decades. The organization said that after an MRI revealed a poor prognosis, the decision was made to remove him from life support.

Robert Szabo, Connecticut Skydiver dies days after Orange, Mass mid-air collision with Jumptown Skydiving.

In a heartfelt statement, the club described Szabo as:

“Whether he greeted you with a smile or his signature eye roll, it was the warmest one around. We will always remember his kindness, patience, and generosity with his time and skill.”

According to the club’s website, Szabo began skydiving in 2000 and served as a coordinator for the Accelerated Freefall program, mentoring jumpers of all levels. He also competed in numerous skydiving events, earning several awards over the years.

Orange, located roughly 70 miles west of Boston, has seen other skydiving incidents in the past. In 2018, 27-year-old Alexis Zayas was killed after colliding with a barn, while in 2022, another jumper was seriously injured after a parachute malfunction caused a hard rooftop landing.

Authorities say investigations into Szabo’s fatal mid-air collision remain ongoing.