Skyhawks skydiver injured after hard landing at Calgary Stampede performance

CALGARY – A Canadian Forces skydiver has been injured during a performance at the Calgary Stampede.

A spokeswoman for the Skyhawks parachute team says the skydiver landed hard on Sunday afternoon and was taken to hospital in an ambulance to be checked out.

Lt. (Navy) Julie Harris says the skydiver had just performed a manoeuvre with four other team members that occurred after the singing of O Canada.

Harris says the manoeuvre went according to plan and the diver landed on the infield of the rodeo track — exactly where he was supposed to — but that he hit the ground fast.

She says he tried to get up, but that paramedics who were nearby rushed out and prevented him from doing so.

Harris says he was joking with the paramedics and appears to be OK.

She says accidents for the team are uncommon, but notes that skydiving is a risky sport.