Alejandro ‘Alex’ Romero of Carson, California, was taking part in a multi-mission parachute course exercise Monday outside Phoenix when he died
The US Marine Corps has suspended certain parachuting operations after the death of a corporal this week in Arizona.
Marine officials say 22-year-old Alejandro ‘Alex’ Romero of Carson, California, was taking part in a multi-mission parachute course exercise Monday outside Phoenix when he died.
Witnesses called 911 around 7.45am after seeing someone fall from the sky tangled in a parachute, according to Phoenix TV station KTVK.
The witnesses performed CPR on the skydiver until paramedics arrived and took him to a hospital, where he died.
Marine officials say a preliminary investigation is underway and all double-bag static line parachuting operations have been suspended effective immediately until further notice.
Family members told the TV station that Romero had recently gotten married three-and-a-half weeks before the accident
The USMC is donating a significant amount of money to Romero’s family in his name, and the family has set up a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral. He is pictured with his wife Dani
Family members told the TV station that Romero had gotten married just three-and-a-half weeks before the tragic accident.
The Marine Corps said Romero served honorably as a Reconnaissance Scout with Bravo Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan, according to AZ Family
Romero’s brother, Fernando, told the station that Alex wanted to be a marine his whole life, saying he overcame significant obstacles to reach his goal.
‘My brother was always a happy person, he was humble,’ Fernando said.
‘He was a great person, a great human being.’
The Marine Corps said Romero served honorably as a Reconnaissance Scout with Bravo Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan, according to AZ Family.
The USMC is donating a significant amount of money to Romero’s family in his name, and the family has set up a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral.
‘The USMC will generously be providing a specific amount that will go towards burial expenses, but not all expenses are covered,’ the GoFundMe account reads.
‘Unfortunately, there are no National cemeteries available within a reasonable distance for him to be buried at, which would help minimize the costs.
‘We, as his family would like to have him close to us so we can visit him. He has a lot of family and we want everyone to have access to his final resting place.’