Man dies after tandem skydiving accident near the Grand Canyon

A man has died after a skydiving accident near the Grand Canyon.

Christopher Swales, 55, was parachuting in tandem with a professional skydiver.

The professional, another man, suffered a broken leg but survived after “difficulties” caused the duo to free-fall for “an unknown distance”.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said the men hit the ground with a “hard landing”.

It happened at about 9:55 am on Sept. 8 close to the Grand Canyon National Airport (which is about 10 kilometres from the park’s southern rim).

Police said CPR was performed on Swales, who is British, but he later died at Flagstaff Medical Center.

He had bought a skydiving package from a company called Paragon Skydive.

Officers explained that there are no indications the death is criminal in nature.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.