Monroe Township, New Jersey — March 25, 2011
Officials report that a skydiver died Friday when his parachute failed to open on a jump in southern New Jersey.
Carter Scott Shields, 45, of Rutledge, Pennsylvania, was taking part in a skydiving venture operated by Freefall Adventures, based at Cross Keys Airport around 4:30 p.m. For unknown reasons, Mr. Shields’ parachute failed to open correctly, at which time he deployed his emergency chute, which also failed.
Prosecutors from Gloucester County say Mr. Shields fatally crashed in a heavily-forested area near the airport.
Mr. Shields was elected mayor of Rutledge, located west of Philadelphia, in 2006 after spending six years on the borough council. He was also a lawyer.
The accident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA reports that 268 fatal general aviation crashes occurred in the United States in 2010, resulting in 457 deaths.
At 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28, the Rutledge Borough Hall, located at 212 Unity Terrace, will host a candlelight vigil in honor of Mr. Shields.
