Skydiver dies after jump near Westlock

A skydiver is dead after failing to land a "high performance technique" at a skydiving facility near Westlock on Saturday.

RCMP were called to the Edmonton Skydiving Centre at theWestlock Airport at around 2 p.m. on Aug. 13 for a skydiving accident.

Sgt. MarleneBrown said the skydiver, a 52-year-old man, was participating in a high-performance canopy piloting competition. He was supposed to skim over a pond as he neared the ground, Brown said, but wasn't able to do so.

Canopy piloting is a form of skydiving. It tests a parachutist's skill in manipulating their parachute while navigating through obstaclesover water and landing on a target.

EMS was on scene during the event.

"He received immediate medical attention, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene," Brown said.

At this point, Brown said it does not appear the man had a medical emergency in the air, but police continue to investigate. The man's identity is not being released at this time.

Edmonton Skydive's websitelists this weekend as the second meet of the Alberta Canopy Piloting Circuit's schedule. It says the circuit was created by local jumpers to offer a competitive training environment for canopy pilots interested in pursuing the sport at a competition level.

"We have the largest swoop pond in Canada and some of the best canopy pilots," the websitesays.

Westlock is about 90 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.