Skydiver Dead After San Diego County Jump

A California skydiver who plunged to his death in San Diego County had three decades of parachuting experience and was wearing an emergency safety device – but authorities say it was turned off.

U-T San Diego says the man died when his parachute failed to open during a jump about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday near the Otay Lakes.

His name wasn’t released.

Authorities say the skydiver was equipped with a device that automatically deploys a parachute in an emergency, but it was turned off.

Buzz Fink, who owns Skydive San Diego, says the 53-year-old had logged more than 10,000 jumps and was considered a mentor to other skydivers.

Fink says the man worked as a handyman and is survived by a teenage son.