Dad dies after parachute failed during San Diego BASE jump

A 48-year-old father died this week after his BASE jump from a San Diego high-rise went tragically wrong.

As reported by the New York Post, on Tuesday night, the thrill-seeking father was taking part in a BASE (buildings, antennas, spans, Earth) jump from the 23-story Palisade UTC apartment building in University City.

San Diego Police Department officials have since revealed to the San Diego Union-Tribune that rather than landing safely, the man plummeted to the ground below, dying as a result of the impact. In a further heartbreaking twist, the man's 16-year-old daughter witnessed her dad's fatal fall.

San Diego police Captain Scott Wahl told WKBN: "This individual had his 16-year-old daughter there, and as a father of four kids, I cannot imagine what she's going through at this point. No question that she's never going to forget those final few moments."

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Wahl also told the Tribune: "It's not just one life lost, it's another that is completely devastated."

"Our heart goes out to her and the rest of his family," he added.

The man has yet to be publically identified, and it is still unclear whether his parachute malfunctioned or it failed to function correctly due to the height of the building.

Per the Tribune, witnesses reported hearing a loud pop, leading to residents of the 277ft tall apartment building exiting onto their balconies, where they saw him lying below. Despite the best efforts of emergency responders, the man was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital.

The Post states that the man was an experienced BASE jumper, and as well as his parachute, was also equipped with the appropriate equipment, such as a helmet.

"He had planned to deploy a parachute and survive the jump," Wahl added. "He’s got a history of doing different types of jumps. Really it’s a tragic event. It’s one that’s absolutely avoidable."

KSWB adds that it is unknown how he accessed the roof of the building.

The apartment building is an estimated 277 feet tall, according to an online database of skyscrapers. The man had on complete BASE-jumping gear at the time, including a parachute and a helmet. His daughter was taken to a hospital for observation, police said.

Speaking to KGTV, Capt. Wahl added: "At this point, we believe that his daughter was up on the rooftop with him, and was able to view what happened."

The man's daughter was reportedly taken to hospital for observation following the incident.

Featured image credit: Smoxx / Alamy (Stock image)