Skydiver Crash, Unhurt Return
Skydiver unhurt after flag snags tree at Folsom Rodeo, plans immediate return
Key Points
Organizers confirmed the skydiver’s name as Ross; after landing he walked into the arena to a standing ovation and is slated to skydive again that night.
The large American flag attached to the jumper appears to have snagged on a tree, sending him crash-landing outside the arena and onto a tent near spectators.
The skydiver is part of a professional jump team that has performed at the Folsom Pro Rodeo for five years.
The Folsom Pro Rodeo is in its 65th year and is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
A skydiver carrying a giant American flag crashed into a tent full of spectators at the Folsom Pro Rodeo in Northern California — but walked away with little more than a cut lip. ABC7 News and ABC10 both confirmed the jumper, identified by organizers as Ross, was safe after his flag appeared to snag a nearby tree and sent him off course during the opening ceremony.
Ross did not just survive — he walked into the arena afterward to a standing ovation from the crowd. Organizers said he planned to skydive again that same night, according to Sacramento Bee.
Flag Snags Tree, Sending Skydiver Into Tent
Video of the incident spread quickly online. It shows the skydiver descending toward the arena when the large American flag he was carrying appeared to catch on a tree. The snag yanked him sideways and he crashed hard into a tent set up near the spectator area. Yahoo Sports described the moment as "heart-stopping."
Despite the violent landing, Ross avoided serious injury. Sacramento Bee reported he suffered only a small cut to his lip. Bystanders near the tent were not hurt. The whole crash was captured on camera by multiple attendees and quickly went viral.
Skydiver Walks Into Arena to Standing Ovation
After the crash, Ross did something that stunned the crowd. He walked directly into the Folsom Pro Rodeo arena. Thousands of fans rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation. Organizers confirmed he is expected to continue jumping for the remaining nights of the rodeo weekend.
Organizers told ABC7 News that Ross has a small lip cut and is doing well. The rodeo weekend is sold out, and the professional jump team has performed at the event for five years. Officials said the show will go on.
65-Year Rodeo Tradition Built Around This Ceremony
The Folsom Pro Rodeo is in its 65th year. It is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, one of the top governing bodies in the sport. The flag-bearing skydiver jump is a long-standing part of the opening ceremony. Choose Folsom, the event's organizing group, works with a professional team to carry out the stunt each year.
ABC10 noted the jump is meant to be a patriotic highlight of the event. The tradition has run without major incident for years. Friday's crash was a rare and dramatic exception — one that ended far better than it looked on video.
A Close Call That Highlighted Real Skydiving Risks
The incident is a reminder of the dangers tied to aerial stunts at crowded public events. A flag that size creates significant drag and wind resistance. Even a small snag on a tree branch can send a skydiver completely off course at high speed.
Still, the outcome was remarkably mild. No spectators were hurt. The skydiver escaped with a minor cut. And the rodeo continued without cancellation. Sacramento Bee confirmed the event remained sold out across the full weekend, with Ross set to jump again in the nights that followed.
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