2 Parachutists Critically Injured at Chicago Air & Water Show

Aug. 15--Two male parachutists performing in Saturday's Chicago Air & Water Show have been hospitalized in critical condition after being injured during the show, officials said.

The Chicago Fire Department said one man was taken from Schiller Street and Lake Shore Drive to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The other man was taken to the same hospital from North Avenue Beach, fire officials said.

No details were available regarding the injuries the two suffered, but both were in serious to critical condition.

The incident occurred about 11 a.m. Saturday, fire officials said.

Heather Mendenhall, who was watching her first Chicago Air & Water Show with about 20 other people from the roof of 1400 Lake Shore Drive, said she saw the parachutist's feet clip an adjacent roof and fall, his parachute falling behind him.

"His legs caught the tip of the roof, and then he fell over. It was horrible," she said. "If he was only one foot closer to the roof, the maintenance guy could've grabbed him."

She said she believes he was performing with the Army Golden Knights parachute team, based on his golden parachute and the red smoke trailing him moments before. Mendenhall also said the parachutist looked unconscious as he hit the roof.

The maintenance worker on the adjacent roof made the initial call to paramedics, Mendenhall said. She also said she believes someone from a nearby street ran to assist the parachutist after he fell.

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