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Student skydiver experiences parachute malfunction in Santa Barbara

A student skydiver is being treated for injuries Monday evening at the Cottage Hospital Trauma Center in Santa Barbara. The Lompoc Fire Department says the man experienced a "hard landing."

Rescuers had to hike this morning to reach the injured man near the Lompoc Penitentiary Prison Farm.

The Lompoc Fire Department said the skydiver experienced a malfunction during the dive and had to use the reserve shoot to complete his landing. Sky Dive Santa Barbara says the student jumped with an experienced instructor and they were both equipped with their own parachutes.

"The crews found the individual conscious and alert, complaining of pain in the lower extremities, and our fire crews along with AMR paramedics worked to stabilize the patient," said Lompoc Fire Chief Kurt Latipow as he described the scene.

Cal Star, the non-profit air ambulance service, took the man to the Trauma Center. This is the second sky diving incident to occur in Lompoc this year. In May, a man was in critical condition after hitting a bridge when landing. Chief Latipow says he understands the man survived, but does not know about his current condition.