Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., May 09, 2008 Iyyar 4, 5768 | | Israel Time: 17:42 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

A skydiver flying over a crowd of spectators in Tel Aviv during a display marking Israel's 60th anniversary on Thursday. (AP) Last update - 10:29 09/05/2008 IDF to probe paratrooper's accident during Independence Day air show By Roni Singer-Heruti and Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Tel Aviv, IDF, Paratroopers  Israel Defense Forces will open an investigation Friday into Thursday's skydiving accident, in which one of the dozens of paratroopers taking part in the Independence Day air extravaganza drifted toward the audience and hurt himself and four spectators in landing. Military sources speculated that a sudden gust of wind pulled the paratrooper in the direction of the first rows of viewers standing along the shore of Tel Aviv's Jerusalem Beach. He was supposed to aim for a marked area several dozen meters from where he landed. The paratrooper in question is an experienced reservist with more than 1,000 jumps on his military and civilian record. Nevertheless, the Israel Defense Forces probe will also look into the possibility that the accident was the result of human error. Advertisement Eight people were injured - two seriously, one moderately and five lightly - when a paratrooper mistakenly parachuted into the stands where spectators were seated during an Independence Day air show along Tel Aviv's Jerusalem beach on Thursday. Two spectators were evacuated to hospital in serious condition and are under close observation, as medical officials fear for their lives. The paratrooper was moderately wounded in his spine and pelvis. The other casualties were lightly wounded, including a toddler and a 12-year-old girl. The Israel Defense Forces staged a flyover display over the beach, which included a skydiving display by soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade. One of the paratroopers, however, missed his designated landing spot at sea and floated into the spectator area. Eight other people in the crowd were injured. A large crowd of curious onlookers formed at the scene of the incident, complicating efforts by rescue workers to reach the injured in a speedy fashion. The accident marred what was an otherwise festive holiday, as hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets and parks across the country Thursday for barbecues, displays and parades in observance of the 60th independence day celebrations. Related articles: Hundreds of thousands of Israelis take to streets and parks for day's events Days of Our Lives: 1948-2008 European leaders congratulate Israel on its 60th anniversary Bookmark to del.icio.us   Stronger than its ills The 60th anniversary celebrations are accompanied by a bad taste. Rise in racism Israeli Arabs say institutionalized racism has increased.   1.   An example of IDF "precision" ? 15:28  |  Chanalau, Tova 08/05/08   2.   LMFAO @ IDF CLOWNS 15:31  |  POP 08/05/08   3.   IDF injure civilians where ever they go.... clumsy goofs 17:08  |  POP 08/05/08   4.   IDF IS AT ITS LOWEST POINT OF READINESS FOR WAR 17:51  |  indrajaya 08/05/08   5.   Flying myself I know how difficult it is to hit the landing point 17:56  |  Karl 08/05/08   6.   Parachuting into water 18:22  |  Mark Lincoln 08/05/08   7.   Paratrooper 18:48  |  chanan 08/05/08   8.   good job IDF!! you are the best in the ME 20:22  |  Moise 08/05/08   9.   sorry to hear it 20:49  |  rm 08/05/08   10.   How sad 20:49  |  KUTW 08/05/08   11.   Schlimiel and schlimazel 21:11  |  Clickfool 08/05/08   12.   To # 1, 2 3, 6...What an incredible day it was today 21:11  |  Festive Zionist 08/05/08   13.   Haaretz publishes every single Left and terrorist loving comment. 21:30  |  Claudia 08/05/08   14.   all these above responses 21:35  |  Jonny 08/05/08   15.   An unfortunate accident on a wonderful day 22:47  |  Tricia Schwitzer 08/05/08   16.   Karl 23:17  |  Mark Lincoln 08/05/08   17.   Airshows 23:27  |  Mark Lincoln 08/05/08   18.   That`s the problem with the IDF: Their feet are simply 23:50  |  Andreas 08/05/08   19.   A sign of absolute impotence 00:03  |  Gilles 09/05/08   20.   Andreas - glad to hear 01:50  |  ChanahS 09/05/08   21.   Andreas - glad to hear 01:50  |  ChanahS 09/05/08   22.   Andreas - glad to hear 01:50  |  ChanahS 09/05/08   23.   #17 geronimo 01:58  |  Panther Jet 09/05/08   24.   A repost with hope of a different censor 02:04  |  Mark Lincoln 09/05/08   25.   click putz, A nahr bleibt a nahr* 02:07  |  Panther Jet 09/05/08   26.   The paratrooper 02:42  |  Out here 09/05/08   27.   What else is new, the IDF missed... 03:06  |  Jack 09/05/08   28.   Parachuting 05:22  |  Rab Burns 09/05/08   29.   why so much probing 09:08  |  beni 09/05/08   30.   Parachut accident 10:35  |  Umm Danny 09/05/08   31.   LMFAO @ IDF PROBE. KILL CHILDREN = NO PROBE 14:41  |  POP 09/05/08   32.   parachute accident 16:39  |  vs 09/05/08

Read & React British PM: Israel`s creation one of 20th century`s `greatest achievements` Responses: 187 Ahmadinejad: Israel is a 'stinking corpse' doomed to disappear Responses: 168 Olmert suspected of accepting illicit funds from U.S. businessman Responses: 63 Jews bend over backward to stay neutral in U.S. vote Responses: 44 Jerome Segal: Through tough love, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be ended Responses: 43 Rosner's Domain Obama and the Jews: is 61% enough? Who's pushing the US to war with Iran? (WTR) Poll: If Olmert is gone, who should be PM? What Muslims really think? (WTR) The Democrats are fighting over Iran More Headlines 17:38 Lebanese army moves into W. Beirut after Hezbollah takeover 17:34 Olmert associate may be made state witness in bribery probe 17:06 Arab leaders split on Lebanon; Abbas: Palestinians should not get involved 16:34 ANALYSIS / Olmert probe shows the media really is the message 14:36 Olmert probe stirs resignation calls; Labor: We'll remain in gov't 16:35 BACKGROUND / Olmert financier prefers to avoid the limelight 16:36 Police evacuate rightists trying to rebuild W. Bank settlement 05:31 Jews bend over backward to stay neutral in U.S. vote 15:49 Israel startup uses behavioral science to identify terrorists 10:29 IDF to probe paratrooper's accident during Independence Day air show 23:09 Hamas: Gaza-Egypt border to open for three days 15:50 Reform movement celebrates first state-funded synagogue 04:55 Arabiya TV: Al-Qaida's leader in Iraq arrested Previous Editions Select Day 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr

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