226 Pecan Street
Deland FL 32724
tel: (386) 801-0804
© 2003 - 2024
All Rights Reserved
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.
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.
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."
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...