Sheriff: Foul play ruled out in Elizabethton skydiver’s death
Published 1:20 pm Monday, October 24, 2022
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From staff reports
The Elizabethton man who fell to his death while skydiving at a high school football game died as a result of “a very unfortunate accident,” authorities said Monday.
Richard Sheffield, 55, died Friday during a jump at the Musket Bowl in Washington County. Sheffield was a member of the Jump TN team hired to land on the football field at the beginning of the game.
“Nothing at the scene leads us to believe this was anything except a very unfortunate accident,” said Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton. “However, an autopsy is pending.”
Sexton also offered condolences to the family. “We join the community in grieving the loss of Richard Sheffield and extend our condolences to the family.”
The bowl event is a rivalry game between Washington County’s two public high schools, Daniel Boone High School and David Crockett High School. This was the 52nd annual Musket Bowl. School system officials made the decision to continue with the game after the accident, which occurred prior to kickoff.
