If you think skydiving sounds thrilling, imagine snapping a photo at the wrong place and time, only to meet a tragic end. This is precisely the shocking reality that struck 37-year-old Amanda Gallagher.
What was meant to be a regular day at the Air Capital Drop Zone in Wichita, Kansas, turned into a nightmare. Gallagher, accidentally stepped backward into the spinning propeller of a plane, resulting in a tragic end to her promising life.
The Last Click That Went Terribly Wrong
Just another day at the drop zone, or so it seemed. Amanda was at the airfield, snapping shots of skydivers as they took off and landed. But while fully focused on capturing that perfect angle, she accidentally backed into an active airplane propeller, which caused her critical injuries.
According to local authorities, the accident happened at around 2:40 p.m. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Amanda did not survive.
In a statement, Lt. Eric Slay mentioned, “She made contact with a grounded and stationary, but still running plane.” For reasons still unclear, she’d stepped slightly in front of the wing—a move that “violated basic safety procedures.”
A Routine Day Turns Fatal
The Kansas-based skydiving company, Air Capital Drop Zone, shared that Amanda had her camera up and was focused on getting her shot when she took those last steps.
“With her camera up to shoot photos as she did so, she stepped back slightly, moving toward and into the spinning propeller,” the company stated.
Amanda’s loved ones and friends are reeling from the sudden loss. Friends have taken to social media to share their memories of her infectious energy, compassion, and artistry. Ashley Nicole Willard, a close friend, expressed on Facebook, “She was a very close family friend, so close, I would consider her a sister.”
In honor of her legacy, friends and family are calling for a permanent tribute, something that could stand as a testament to her passion for both photography and adventure.
“A ceremony should be held in her honor or something should be always proudly displayed honoring Amanda and her love for photography and her recent passion for skydiving,” Ashley wrote.
To help her family cover funeral expenses, a GoFundMe page was launched, describing Amanda as “kind, adventurous, creative, and beautiful inside and out.” Written by Abbey Charboneau, the page captures the spirit of Amanda’s adventurous life, noting that she “died whilst doing the things she loved most”.
The fundraiser has already gathered close to $6,000, with supporters stepping in to offer comfort and assistance during this incredibly painful time.
Federal Investigation Underway
While loved ones remember Amanda for her warmth and skill, authorities are focusing on what went wrong that day. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have announced they’re investigating the incident. Safety protocols, especially around aircraft, are generally strict, so this kind of accident is rare.
However, the tragic incident reminds us that even experienced professionals like Amanda are not immune to unpredictable accidents.
Sources:
https://news.sky.com/story/woman-dies-after-walking-into-plane-propeller-13243392
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