Skydiver Killed At Montana Rodeo Misjudged Stunt, Colleague Says

A skydiver killed at the Livingston Roundup Rodeo executed a maneuver too close to the ground and descended too fast, a companion skydiver said.

The victim died Thursday evening when he crashed into the arena during a performance of the rodeo. The Park County coroner was expected to release the man’s name Friday.

Skydiving is a regular part of the Roundup, which is held here each July 2-4. Jumpers try to land in the arena and two skydivers had landed safely during an earlier jump.

So did Bob Rux, a Billings skydiver who jumped with the victim.

“He was a very confident person who made a bad decision,” Rux said. “He just executed a very radical turn too close to the ground.”

The accident occurred around 9 p.m. Thursday.

According to Rux, the victim was an experienced skydiver with more than 500 jumps.