Janesville man dies in skydiving accident
EAST TROY — A Janesville businessman and popular skydiving coach died Saturday when his parachute failed to deploy during a dive with Sky Knights Sport Parachute Club, Walworth County Coroner John Griebel said.
William O. Doherty, 53, of 2104 Cottonwood Drive, Janesville, had logged more than 5,000 jumps in his 30-year skydiving career, his ex-wife Jackie Friar said. He was familiar with the jump site and has had many experiences with malfunctioning parachutes, Friar said.
"Everyone knows Bill in the skydiving arena," Friar said. "Skydiving was a hobby and a love of his."
The accident took place at 3:13 p.m. at 2761 St. Peters Road in the village of East Troy, Griebel said. That's a residential neighborhood about a mile west of the East Troy Municipal Airport.
Sky Knights is located adjacent to the airport at W1341 County L, East Troy.
The parachute club uses the airport for take-offs and landings, and divers jump to nearby properties owned by Sky Knights, Griebel said.
Sky Knights management declined to comment.
Doherty was the founder of Seamless Gutters of Janesville 25 years ago, Friar said. He long was involved in the construction business and was a member of the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association, she said.
An autopsy is scheduled this morning, Griebel said.
It's unknown what caused the accident.
Initial investigation didn't show any obvious indication of a tangled chute or other mechanical problems, said Village of East Troy Police Chief Alan Boyes.
However, Boyes stressed that the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating Doherty's death and would make the final determination about the cause of the accident.
In 2005, two skydivers were killed in separate incidents after skydiving at the East Troy Municipal Airport. Both were experienced skydivers.
Oct 2, 2008 at 6:36 a.m.
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Kitty, Just recieved an E-Mail from Tom informing me of your fathers death. I foundly remember him from the Pig Farm and East Troy. God Bless.
Corky Jacobs D8636
Sep 29, 2008 at 8:24 p.m.
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On top of feeling overwhelming grief for the loss of a wonderful man, I am also deeply disturbed to see that some people have absolutely no respect or plain common sense to keep certain comments to themselves. Isn’t it fairly obvious that during these emotional days that there are loved ones trying desperately to deal with a tragic situation? If you have insensitive comments, keep them to yourself. It is my deepest hope that, God forbid, you one day have to deal with an incident as devastating as this, you will be treated with more consideration. My love to Bill’s friends and family.
Sep 26, 2008 at 7:46 p.m.
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no sense jumping to conclusions, i hope they find what you want them to find.
Sep 26, 2008 at 12:15 a.m.
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miltonalum, it is obvious you did not know my dad more personally than his friends and family. the fact that you say you know what happened is untrue. The investigations being done will reveal the truth shortly. There is an incredible amount of mounting evidence which shows he died almost instantly in the air. This is a hard enough time for his loved ones without having to deal with people starting rumors. Please have the class not to post again on this matter.
Sep 24, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
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Thanks Kitty ive been skydiving for 15 years so i know the procedure and i did know Bill personally and he was a great guy, If i inferrred anything i apologize, I know what happened and my flaw is not keeping it to myself.
Sep 24, 2008 at 10:17 a.m.
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To clarify futher, "miltonalum" if in fact you knew Bill waving to his friends first instead of dealing with a malfunction was the approprate gesture at that point there was no malfuction to deal with. Being an experieced jumper it is a standard of breaking off from a skydive to let others know you are leaving the formation, also it's a see ya later gesture in the air. Bill at this time was dealing with an acute medical problem, that was life threating to him and caused his fatal demise. Bill made every attempt to release a parachue but did not have the physical strenth which is approx 10-20 lbs of pull resistence to activate a shute. It is firmly believed that Bill died before he reached the ground.
His true love of life was evident each and every day!
Sep 24, 2008 at 8:54 a.m.
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Fgb_dmk: Thank you for your posting. It does clarify things. Again, my condolences to the family and friends of this man.
Sep 24, 2008 at 7:56 a.m.
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I FOUND THIS POST ON A BLOG REGARDING MR. DOHERTY:http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/weblog/permalink/wisconsin_skydiver_dies_after_chute_fails_to_deploy/
"This should help clarify some of the comments here.
According to the person he was jumping with, while attempting to do relative work (holding hands while in freefall), he waved off early shaking his head making a motion that he did not want to continue. Furthermore his eyes appeared to be rolling around and then he went from his normal freefall position to limp and just falling.
This would indicate to me that he passed out in freefall from either a heart attack or a stroke.
Having the option to install an automatic opening device is the decision of all experienced skydivers. I personally have one but respect the wished of those that do not.
Student and tandem equipment all comes equipped with this device making it a lot safer if something happens to the tandem master.
Posted by mike on September 23, 2008 at 1623 hrs "
Sep 23, 2008 at 9:22 p.m.
Sep 23, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.
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I was at Sky Knights on Saturday also. I was not able to jump that day, but two friends went up on the same plane as Bill. While we were waiting for their turn I spoke with Bill for a bit. He was a very kind person and did in fact love his hobby. By the time we left around 3:00 we still did not know the outcome, only that he was still not heard from. We were so sure he had just gotten turned around and would call any time for a ride back. I am so very heartbroken this was not the case. My heart goes out to his friends and family. I only knew him briefly, but his kind nature was obvious. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Sep 23, 2008 at 12:15 a.m.
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My condolences to Mr. Doherty's family and friends.
Sep 22, 2008 at 5:54 p.m.
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Very sad news!
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