Originally published at 8:46 p.m. MDT, September 27; updated at 8:30 a.m. MDT, September 28.
A Boise Bureau of Land Management smokejumper died Friday afternoon, September 27, in a parachuting accident. Mark T. Urban, 40, was killed after his canopy failed to properly deploy. The accident occurred about 45 miles east of Boise, near Smith’s Prairie at about 12:30 p.m. MDT.
Preliminary information from the BLM indicated that he was conducting a research and development jump using a new device to designed to assist in deploying the canopy.
He had been a jumper for 10 years.
Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Urban’s family and co-workers.
Oh my gosh. Integrity to the very end.
My heart breaks for his family and co-workers.