Two skydivers have been killed after their parachutes became tangled mid-air.

The accident happened during an organised jump over Lake Elsinore in Southern California on Friday afternoon.

Both divers suffered traumatic injuries in the 150ft plunge and were rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

They were declared dead there a short while later.

In a statement, Skydive Elsinore said: ‘Eyewitnesses report that the freefall portion of the jump was normal and uneventful, and that both skydivers opened their parachutes at the expected altitude.

‘As they prepared to land, the two skydivers collided at approximately 150 feet above the ground.

‘The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground.’

Their identities have not been officially confirmed but both are believed to be female.

Skydive Elsinore’s manager and co-owner Josh Hall said the freak accident happened as a group of 20 licensed and experienced skydivers took part in a jump.

They all dived out of a plane at 12,500 feet, with the collision occurring in the final stage of the jump.

He said there was no indication any of their equipment malfunctioned.

‘Skydive Elsinore extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of both skydivers, and is grieving alongside all those affected,’ the company’s statement added.

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