One person is dead after two parachutists collided mid-air Monday morning during the annual Lost Prairie Boogie skydiving event near Marion, said Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino.

The collision triggered one of the parachutists’ reserve parachute to deploy automatically, Heino said.

Marion Fire Department personnel were already on scene covering the event when the call came in about 9:42 a.m., Aug. 4. Despite lifesaving efforts, emergency responders declared one of the parachutists dead on scene.

The other skydiver was able to land safely without assistance, according to a social media post by the Sheriff’s Office. That parachutist was evaluated and medically cleared on site.

Meadow Peak Skydiving said in a statement the two parachutists collided during free fall in a jump that incl

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