Fatal Skydiving Accident Victim Identified as Gary Messina
Gary B. Messina, a 25-year-old Medford resident, died Wednesday after a skydiving accident in Calverton, according to Riverhead police.
A skydiving instructor, Christopher Scott, 28, of Sound Beach, was injured.
Police said they were called to Skydive Long Island, in Enterprise Park, shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday. Riverhead Town Volunteer Ambulance also came to the scene, where Messina was pronounced dead. Scott was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital in critical condition.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the accident.
Scott remains listed in critical, but stable, condition.
Messina was a correction officer for the New York City Department of Correction.
Services for Gary Messina are scheduled at McManus-Lorey Funeral Home in Medford on Sunday, August 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.