Expert: 'Mini tornado' caused accident that killed New York skydiver and injured instructor
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A safety expert for a national skydiving association says a "mini tornado" caused the accident that killed a correction officer and injured his instructor during a tandem jump.
Gary Messina died in the accident Wednesday afternoon at Skydive Long Island in Calverton. His instructor, Christopher Scott, was critically injured.
Rich Winstock tells Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/1zzHqPX ) wind and dust churned into a funnel and made it impossible to control the parachute. Winstock is director of the United States Parachute Association and chairs its safety and training committee.
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The FAA is investigating. It had no information Thursday about the accident's cause.
The National Weather Service said winds were in the 5- to 15-mph range at the time of the jump.
Messina would have turned 26 on Thursday.
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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com