A skydiver who collided with the jumbotron during Virginia Tech’s spring football game at Lane Stadium describes himself as fortunate to have survived with just a shoulder injury.
Dramatic Mid-Air Mishap
Pasha Palanker, an army veteran, encountered unexpected wind gusts that diverted him from his planned landing on the field. As he approached the stadium, a sudden surge pushed him toward the crowd, prompting him to maneuver away. Another fierce wind shear then propelled him straight into the scoreboard, leaving him dangling precariously.
Palanker’s Firsthand Account
Palanker recounted the ordeal in a recent interview: “It happened so fast, it surprised all of us. When I was approaching, everything looked fine and the wind picked up as I was getting into the stadium, picked up way above what is expected and it looked like I was going to land on the crowd, which could have been pretty dangerous.”
He added: “As I was turning to try and go into that field, another wind shear came in and just slammed me into that jumbotron. I was just really glad that the parachute was hanging on, whatever it was hung on. It was a long way down. It is not the first time that I walked away from something that I shouldn’t.”
Rescue Operation and Official Response
Emergency teams rescued Palanker after he hung from the jumbotron for approximately 20 minutes. Virginia Tech officials stated on social media: “We are grateful to report that the skydiver was safely secured and is currently stable. Our primary focus remains on their well-being. We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional response.”
Recent Similar Incident
This marks the second parachuting mishap before a college football game this year. In January’s Armed Forces Bowl between Rice and Texas State, five skydivers aimed to land on the field. While three touched down safely, one veered outside the stadium. The fifth became entangled in the field goal net cables, creating alarming scenes just before kickoff.
