posted Apr 2nd, 2005 - It was a bizarre day for DeLand Fire on April 1, 2005. The winner of the FSL Shamrock Showdown 2005 had scheduled a 2-day training camp for Thursday and Friday. Cross training was on the agenda, and alternate Thomas Hughes filled in for Shannon Pilcher who had other work commitments on site the same days. Friday, April 1, was also Pilcher's birthday.

The different line-up for these two days was a good opportunity for DeLand Fire to train different slots. Ian Bobo switched from Tail to the Center Inside position, while alternate and videographer Thomas Hughes took the Tail slot. The front piece switched slots, as well. Natasha Montgomery was Center Outside, and Gary Smith became the Point for these two days. The Danish videographer John Petersen filmed DeLand Fire, while Thomas Hughes enjoyed flying the rear piece with Ian Bobo.

DeLand Fire's cross training went well, as the video of the last training jump shows. However, the second jump on Friday stopped the whole training camp earlier as planned. Ian Bobo broke his lower arm at the completion of Block 8 (Canadian T - Canadian T).

The video, provided by John Petersen, shows what happened. Gary Smith of the front piece was just finishing his aggressive move to the final position when Bobo arrived in his final center position and ran into Smith's right knee with his right arm. The impact was strong enough to break Bobo's lower arm.

All Fire members knew instantly that Bobo had a problem. His piece partner Thomas Hughes gave up the Tail position and became an AFF instructor right after the collision. Gary Smith and Natasha Montgomery abanded the front piece to became secondaries and observers of the rescue efforts.

Bobo was in pain and tested his ability to save himself: "It was painful. However, it did not feel as if I was out of control and helpless. I did not think that I had broken a bone. I was confident to pull and fly the parachute." Bobo tracked away with Hughes still observing him until the pulling of the parachute.

Bob landed his parachute safely: "Of course, flying and landing the canopy was very painful, too. However, I still did not think that I had a serious problem. When a Dutch 4-way jumper on site, who is a physician, took a closer look at the injury, she recommended to go to the emergency room and get x-rays."

The pictures showed a clean fracture of the lower arm, and Bobo left the hospital with a cast around his right arm. Training was over, not only for the day. However, the DeLand Fire members, including Ian Bobo, took it lightly and with humor. The celebration of Shannon Pilcher's birthday the same April 1 evening at the Perfect Spot remained on the Fire agenda.

Gary Smith made fun of the situation with a smile on his face: "Hey, you get punished if you don't do the right move." Ian Bobo was not too concerned: "We are actually quite lucky. DeLand Fire has no training scheduled for the whole month of April. I will miss some swooping training and a competition, but I think that I will be able to be back for the next Fire training in May."

There is a new topic in the NSL Forum where the accident can be discussed, and messages to the Fire members can be posted. By the way: it really is a bizarre coincidence, however, this is not an April 1 fool's joke, it is a true story...