2 Killed In Separate IL Skydiving Incidents In Recent Days

ILLINOIS — Two people died in separate skydiving incidents in recent days in Northern Illinois, according to authorities.

The first death occurred Monday at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, authorities said. The victim was identified as 48-year-old Noel Liu of East Peoria, according to LaSalle County Coroner Richard Ploch.

Liu, a dentist, was described in a post on his professional Facebook page as “an amazing father, husband, son, brother, and mentor to many.”

“He lived a life full of fulfillment and satisfaction, always pursuing his passions with enthusiasm and courage,” his wife and business partner, Dr. Nazish Jafri, wrote in the post. “Noel touched the lives of many with his warmth and enthusiasm, leaving behind cherished memories that will be treasured forever.”

In an email to Patch, Skydive Chicago General Manager Anthony Ebel wrote that the victim was an experienced skydiver and the business was "working with the appropriate authorities during their investigation."

There have been several deaths tied to Skydive Chicago over the years, including fatalities reported by Patch in 2022, 2016, 2015 and 2013.

In 2002, the Chicago Tribune reported that six people had died at Skydive Chicago in the previous 12 months, which was eight times higher than the national average. At the time, the Tribune reported that since 1993, 13 skydiving deaths had taken place at the facility.

Monday’s incident was being investigated by the LaSalle County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The second recent death was tied to an incident that occurred just before 7 p.m. Wednesday near the Chicagoland Skydiving Center in Rochelle, according to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office. Two skydivers collided mid-air, with a 40-year-old man later dying at a local hospital and the second person suffering minor injuries.

The deceased was a licensed skydiver with over 2,900 skydives, according to Chicagoland Skydiving Center, which said in a prepared news release that the man "experienced a hard landing while under his secondary (reserve) parachute."

"Prior to the collision, the free fall portion of the skydive was normal and all equipment functioned correctly," the news release said. "... The skydiving community is a tight-knit group, and any loss is deeply felt throughout the sport. The management of Chicagoland Skydiving Center offers its sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased and the many friends who had shared the skies with him throughout the years."

The sheriff’s office is investigating in coordination with federal authorities.