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U.S. Navy SEAL Leap Frog dies after parachute malfunction during New Jersey Fleet Week

Posted at 2:33 PM, May 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-29 09:39:16-04

(KGTV)--A member of the Navy SEAL Leap Frogs was killed after his parachute malfunctioned during a Fleet Week event in New Jersey Sunday, according to the U.S. Navy.

The parachute of the team member failed to open properly and he landed in the water near Liberty State Park, Rear Admiral John C. "Jack" Scorby Jr. said at a news briefing.

Coast Guard personnel retrieved the parachutist and the Jersey City Fire Department Marine Unit took him to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m. ET, Scorby said.

A falling piece of the parachute was caught on camera: 

 

A video of an earlier jump was posted on Instagram.

 

A post shared by Fabio Seidl (@fabioseidl) on

 

 

"Our hearts and our prayers go out to his family and I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today," Scorby said. "The cause of the mishap is under investigation and his next of kin are being notified at this time."

The parachutist's name has not been released.

The Navy Leap Frogs train in San Diego County.  One of the team's most recent appearances was at the Padres vs. Giants game at Petco Park in April.

Stay with 10News for more information as it becomes available. 

Sandy Coronilla is a KGTV digital producer. Follow her @10NewsSandy