Tragic End: Connecticut Man Dies Days After Skydiving Accident in Massachusetts

A somber cloud hangs over the skydiving community and the quiet town of Middletown, Connecticut, following the tragic death of Michael Rocco, a 59-year-old resident. Mr. Rocco passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, days after a severe skydiving accident at Skydive Pepperell in Pepperell, Massachusetts, on Saturday, October 5.

The incident, which occurred during what should have been an exhilarating descent, took a devastating turn when Rocco experienced a hard landing.

He was immediately rushed to a local hospital with critical injuries, where he bravely fought for his life before ultimately succumbing to his wounds earlier this week.

This heartbreaking event has prompted a multi-agency investigation. Connecticut State Police have confirmed their involvement, a standard procedure when a state resident dies out of state.

Their Massachusetts counterparts, through the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, are also actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Adding another layer of scrutiny, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched its own inquiry, a protocol whenever a skydiving fatality occurs.

Skydive Pepperell, the site of the tragedy, has previously been under the spotlight for similar incidents.

Records show a non-fatal injury accident occurred there in 2021, and a fatality was reported in 2014. These past events, alongside the current tragedy, underscore the inherent risks involved in extreme sports like skydiving, even as safety measures continue to evolve.

As the investigations unfold, authorities will be meticulously examining all factors that may have contributed to Mr.

Rocco's fatal fall, including equipment, weather conditions, and operational procedures. The community mourns the loss of Michael Rocco, and hopes for clarity and answers in the wake of this profound tragedy.