Skydiver goes off course, found OK in Lebanon swamp

LEBANON - A skydiver whose jump went off course on Sunday and was missing for a short time was found later in a swamp off Route 202.

Lebanon Fire and EMS made cellphone contact with the man around 10:30 p.m. A short time later, rescuers were able to locate him and bring him out of the swamp for evaluation, according to safety officials.

A Skydive New England employee told the Portland Press Herald that the man's parachute did not malfunction, but that he somehow flew off course about 8 p.m.

The parachutist was an experienced, licensed skydiver with about 400 skydives.

"All other skydivers aboard the aircraft were able to land uneventfully at the original designated landing area," the employee said.

Several years ago another skydiver went off course, landing unhurt in a hayfield off Prospect Hill Road in West Lebanon.

In that incident they simply called a friend who picked them up.