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Military parachutists collide in midair during air show over Chicago

By Doug G. Ware
A member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team lands in St. Louis in 2012. Saturday, a member of the Golden Knights and the Navy's Leap Frogs collided in midair in Chicago during an air show. One was seriously hurt and the other fractured his leg. Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt
A member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team lands in St. Louis in 2012. Saturday, a member of the Golden Knights and the Navy's Leap Frogs collided in midair in Chicago during an air show. One was seriously hurt and the other fractured his leg. Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

CHICAGO, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Two military parachutists, one from the Navy and one from the Army, accidentally collided in midair during an air show in Chicago Saturday, officials said.

The jumpers were members of their respective parachute teams performing during the Chicago Air and Water Show on Saturday -- but somehow flew into each other during their descents.

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One landed on a lakeside beach and the other on a downtown Chicago street, ABC News reported -- and possibly struck a building before he touched down.

Spectators were shocked to witness the unusual collision.

"I only saw him fall for a second or two," witness Clayton Myers said. "He may have fallen about 20 feet. "At first, I was confused and thought he was just landing there, but then I realized he was falling too fast."

The Navy parachutist received a lower leg fracture, a spokeswoman said, and the Army jumper was hospitalized in serious condition.

The jumpers were members of the Navy Leap Frogs and the Army Golden Knights.

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