Two Calif. Skydivers Killed After Midair Collision

Two men died Thursday after colliding midair in a California skydiving accident.

Authorities say two skydivers fell hundreds of feet to their deaths over Perris Valley Airport in Riverside County.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department says the men's parachutes collided and deflated some 300 to 400 feet in the air on Thursday, sending both men hurtling to the ground. Both were pronounced dead on the scene at 4 p.m.

The sheriff-coroner's office identified the men as Patrick James McGowan of Menifee and Christopher David Stasky of San Diego, both 42.

Scott Smith, western regional director of the U.S. Parachute Association, tells the Riverside Press-Enterprise that McGowan was a longtime instructor with Skydive Perris and had over 17,000 jumps. He says Stasky was helping McGowan train parachute instructors for the Canadian military.

An investigation is under way to determine how the men crashed, according to KTLA.com.

The Associated Press and Newscore contributed to this report.