Navy Seal Dies - A 31-year-old Navy Seal was killed during a skydiving exercise after a parachute malfunction caused him to fall from 60ft in the air.
Petty Officer 1st Class William Blake Marston, a native of Concord, New Hampshire was instructing other entrants in a military parachute training on Saturday when the tragic incident happened in Central Florida.
According to reports, Marston fell from 60 feet in the air after his parachute malfunctioned and something flew from it. He landed with a broken leg on the grounds of DeLannd Airport.
Following his fall, airports authorities quickly transported him to the hospital, however he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
"He was very competitive. He expected a lot of himself," his father, Bill Marston said on Monday.
Reports indicate that in 2008, after graduating from Stonehill College with a degree in criminal justice and studio arts, Marston joined the Navy.
"I was always proud of his determination and his effort," his mother Nancy said. "How could I not be proud of him?"
Navy Seal authorities have since released a statement offering their condolences to Marston's family.
"The entire Naval Special Warfare, community extends our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of our teammate, Blake," said Lt David Lloyd, spokesman for the Naval Special Warfare Group Two."He will be missed by all who knew him."
"Blake Marston represented the very best of New Hampshire's long tradition of service, dedicating himself to protect his fellow citizens and defending the ensuring concept of freedom that is our very core," Gov. Maggie Hassan said.
Reports indicate that the Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the fatal accident, which led to the death of Marston.
