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Young woman plummets to her death after parachute fails to open

A young woman has died after her parachute failed to open while skydiving, plunging to her death.

Romane Hourcastagnou, 23, who comes from the French city of Strasbourg, was an experienced parachutist with over 100 jumps under her belt.

She was skydiving near her home in Strasbourg with a group of 10 people, all experienced parachutists when tragedy struck.

Romane Hourcastagnou was just 23. Source: Newsflash/ Australscope
Romane Hourcastagnou was just 23. Source: Newsflash/ Australscope

According to local reports, Hourcastagnou jumped from the plane at a height of 1,000 metres but her parachute failed to open. It is unclear why it failed to open.

Witnesses said she tried to carry out an emergency manoeuvre, but was unable to due to the height and speed of her fall, and she hit the ground in seconds.

Other parachutists tried to help the victim but were unsuccessful. She reportedly died on the spot.

She fell from 1,000 metres. Source: Newsflash/ Australscope
She fell from 1,000 metres. Source: Newsflash/ Australscope

“We watched the accident with total helplessness. After her parachute did not open, the impact with the ground was very violent," one eyewitness told local media.

The emergency services were called to the scene, but could only confirm the young woman’s death and her body was transferred to a local morgue.

The 23-year-old woman has been practising the sport for a couple of years and had completed over 100 jumps, according to Roland Ilyes of the Alsace Skydiving School in Strasbourg.

Meanwhile, the local authorities have confirmed that they have opened an investigation into the young woman’s death.

- Newsflash/ Australscope

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