One skydiver killed, a second injured when they collide over Florida airport, cops say

One man was killed and a second person was hurt when they collided while skydiving over a Florida airport, according to police.

The man who died has been identified as Giulianno Scotti, 42, of Brazil, according to the DeLand Police Department.

Investigators say it happened around 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 1, at the DeLand Municipal Airport, about a 40-mile drive north from Orlando.

Scotti and another skydiver slammed into each other “mid-air,” resulting in Scotti experiencing “a hard landing,” police said in a news release.

“Responding units attempted life-saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased on scene,” police said.

“The second skydiver was treated on scene by first responders for minor injuries.”

Their identity was not released.

Investigators have not revealed the altitude from which the two fell, or if they jumped from the same aircraft.

The fall remains under investigation and an autopsy will be performed by the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office, officials said.

An Instagram account for Giulianno Scotti describes him as “BRUS Pro Skydiver, B.A.S.E Jumper, Paramotor Pilot,” with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is from Manaus, Brazil, but recently lived in DeLand, according to his Facebook page.

Skydive DeLand is based at the airport, and the two were participating in one of its outings, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

The company — one of the region’s “leading tourist attractions” — caters to novices in need of lessons and experienced skydivers who use its “full-service Drop Zone,” according to Skydivedeland.com.

This story was originally published April 2, 2024 at 5:29 AM with the headline "One skydiver killed, a second injured when they collide over Florida airport, cops say."