Cadet dies in skydiving accident

31 August 2011 Last updated at 18:56 ET

A British military cadet has died in hospital following a skydiving accident in California, a British Consulate General official says.

The cadet was critically injured along with another cadet in the incident at the Lake Elsinore Parachute Center in southern California on Friday.

The officer cadet, who has not yet been named, died in hospital on Monday.

The Ministry of Defence is investigating the cause of the accident.

Katharine Keith, communications officer for the British Consulate General in Los Angeles, said: “Two British officer cadets were involved in a parachuting accident during adventure training at Lake Elsinore Parachute Center on Friday.

“Sadly one of the officer cadets has died from his injuries – he died on Monday.

“The other officer cadet is in a serious condition in hospital.

“His family are with him and they have our support.”

The MoD said it was not releasing any further details until Thursday.

‘Safest environment’

On its web, Skydive Elsinore, established in 1959, says it is “the longest running skydiving operation in North America, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 1999″.

It also says it is “in full support of military parachute operations and training”.

“Skydive Elsinore operates all kinds of military training on , in the safest environment around,” the web states.

It says the pilots on staff have flown numerous groups including the Army and RAF, the US Air Force, the Navy Seals, the US Army.

— ’re ’s , . : A ‘Malign Intellectual Subculture’ – George Monbiot Smears Chomsky, Herman, Peterson, Pilger And Media Lens.