Parachutist lands in band at Fort Riley ceremony

FORT RILEY, Kan. 7/17/08 — A parachutist went off course Thursday at the start of a military review and dropped feet-first into the 1st Infantry Division's band, injuring three players.

Several thousand people watched as the man under the red, white and blue parachute landed on the 30-member band, about 50 yards off target. A gasp went up from the crowd, followed by silence as at least a dozen people rushed over to help.

"I hear, 'Oh, expletive,' and immediately, I hear a crash,'" said the band's commander, Chief Warrant Officer Scott MacDonald.

The three injured band members were treated and released from Irwin Army Community Hospital. The parachutist, Scott Hallock, refused treatment at the scene.

"We know that they're going to be all right," said Gen. Charles Campbell, head of the Army's Forces Command, during opening remarks.

Two tubas were destroyed, said Mike Keating, assistant chief of the post's Fire Department. MacDonald said a trumpet was also damaged.

MacDonald said band members had been standing, waiting for the start of the ceremony and weren't looking up. He said they didn't hear anything except a brief rustling of the jumper's parachute.

He hit the back row, landing feet first, MacDonald said.

Band member Sgt. Rachel Boggs was knocked unconscious and had a fractured jaw, hospital spokeswoman Lisa Medrano said. Sgt. Andrew Spinazzolla suffered minor neck and head injuries and had a fractured ankle, Medrano said. Staff Sgt. Mark Lucero sustained what Medrano called a minor leg injury.

Two parachutists jumped from a single-engine plane at about 6,000 feet. Keating said the second jumper's parachute lines apparently became tangled, pulling him off course.

MacDonald said he wondered briefly whether he had enough members left to perform.

"We did soldier on," he said. The band played the division's and the Army's fight songs, then sounded a trumpet cavalry charge.

...from the Internet.

No - only rifles (from my own corps!).

What did you do in the Corps? Snare, Drum Major, Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

No, but I got stuck under one when I was judging a show where the group used parachutes. Was fun under there talking to the kids and cracking them up.

What did you do in the Corps? Brass Instructor, Corps Manager

Nice story, Jerry; I enjoyed it.

Jerry, that parachute story was great! I remember those shows .. corps used props like that to "hide" etc.

I never had that experience, but did watch the Army Golden Knights during a pre-show exhibition at a Kansas contest. Three parachutists jumped .. one landed on the 50 yard line as planned, one landed in the parking lot and one landed about two blocks away! They found him later!

What did you do in the Corps? drummer

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

LOL thats great Dave! The guy may have landed 2 block away but was lucky he didn't land somewhere like on a bridge or in a freeway.

What did you do in the Corps? Brass Instructor, Corps Manager

Yes, that is true. The funny thing (to me, who knows little about parachutes) is that they were using the chutes which are shaped like panels. These are supposedly STEERABLE! Of course, WIND has an impact too!

Some years later, I saw people parasailing in Switzerland, from a mountain in the Alps. The jump off point was 5000 feet up ... nearly a MILE!

I looked over the edge. Definately NOT for me!

What did you do in the Corps? drummer

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63