JERSEY CITY — The annual Fleet Week activities took a tragic turn on Sunday afternoon when a member of the U.S. Navy's elite Leap Frogs Parachute Team died during a jump near Liberty State Park.

Rear Adm. Jack Scorby released a statement saying that the team member, who is also a member of the Navy SEALs, died when his parachute malfunctioned. The Navy did not identify the jumper as his next of kin was still being notified.

Scorby, commander of Navy Region Mid Atlantic, said the SEAL landed in the water near Liberty State Park, where he was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Jersey City Fire Department Marine Unit, "who were specifically standing by in vessels to support the event."

The man was taken to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m.

"Our hearts and our prayers go out to his family and we ask for all your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today," Scorby said.

The Navy said the incident is under investigation and that Fleet Week activities were set to go on as scheduled after the accident.

 

Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com

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