Lynnwood man dies in Massachusetts parachute jump

BARNSTABLE, Mass. — A Washington state parachutist who once had to be rescued from Mount Baring in the Cascade Mountains died in a skydiving accident here over the weekend during a tandem jump.

The two skydivers crashed into a building on Cape Cod. Witnesses said they appeared to be having problems as they descended, police said.

Eldon Burrier, of Lynnwood, Washington, and his student, Andrew Munson, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, died near the Marstons Mills Airport in Barnstable, officials said.

Burrier, 48, and Munson, 29, were involved in a tandem jump from a plane operated by Skydive Barnstable. They struck a shed on private property adjacent to the airport at about 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

In 2010, Burrier was rescued from Mount Baring near Index by dozens of volunteers after his parachute snagged a rock outcropping. After his rescue, Burrier was arrested on a warrant out of Skagit County for reckless endangerment for another BASE jumping incident a few months earlier at Deception Pass Bridge.

BASE jumping involves parachuting off buildings, antennae, spans (bridges) and earth.

The jump in Massachusetts this weekend involved traditional skydiving from an airplane. Witnesses told police the pair appeared to be in trouble, descending too fast and out of control.

“We were notified that a student and an instructor were descending at a fairly high rate of speed having a problem with their chute,” Sgt. Ben Baxter said.

Homeowner John Theriault said he rushed to the aid of both men while his wife called 911 and then stayed with them offering comfort until emergency personnel arrived.

The deaths are under investigation.

The skydiving school said it would have no comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

“As we find out more we’ll be able to make a statement but until then we ask you to respect our privacy,” a school representative said in an email to the Cape Cod Times. “Our hearts go out to all family members of everyone involved.”