The US Army Golden Knights ended the Chicago Air and Water Show in grief as two parachutists are left injured leading to the consequent death of one Sgt. First Class Corey Hood, Saturday morning.
Golden Knights spokesperson Donna Dixon delivered the sad news regarding the death of Sgt. Hood, calling the latter a hero after spending almost half of his life serving the US Army.
Thirty-two year-old Hood suffered a major accident after colliding mid-air with a leap frog parachutist who was also hospitalized for the leg injuries he obtained out of the incident. Hood underwent an operation to relieve pressure in his brain after he obtained an injury in his head. Despite such operation, Hood eventually died leaving his wife Lyndsay behind. Hood is a Cincinnati bred who joined the army more than 10 years ago.
According to an onlooker in that event, Hood fell 20 feet high and as soon as he hit the ground, he was covered with blood where a nearby nurse immediately attempted to stabilize Hood's condition by holding the latter's bleeding head while waiting for paramedics, the Chicago Tribune reports.
According to Chicago Sun- Times, spokesperson Dixon said that the incident is still under investigation by the authorities, but it has already prompted the Golden Knights to call for a 'safety stand-down', referring to the temporary cancellation of all future jumps of the Golden Knights. The Sunday performance of the Air and Water Show was also canceled as a result of the accident.
Friends from the army have paid respect and grievance over Hood's passing calling the latter a 'best friend to all'. In a statement last Sunday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has likewise expressed his condolences calling Hood an "American hero" who has braved several tours of duty both in Iraq and Afghanistan, as per NBC Chicago.
