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Veteran Skydiver Dies On The Day He Jumped Without Emergency Device

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A skydiving instructor fell to his death yesterday afternoon in San Diego County. Tragically, he jumped without his emergency device on the day he needed it the most.

Jordan Janway, 27, of San Diego, was reported missing after his skydiving partner landed safely. Initially, Janway was nowhere to be found in the landing area outside of Jamul in east San Diego County. Authorities found his body shortly thereafter.

Janway, whose sister Chandra Janway Johnson is married to NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, was an experienced skydiver who was training fellow employees at Skydive San Diego, according to NBC 7 San Diego. It is believed he was knocked unconscious when he collided with his dive partner and his chute failed to deploy, causing Janway to free fall to his death.

Most parachutes come equipped with a chip that deploy the chute in case of an emergency. However, Janway's chip was undergoing maintenance yesterday. As an experienced skydiver with over a thousand jumps he was not required to wear one.

Buzz Fink, owner of Skydive San Diego, told CBS8 that Janway was "Just a good guy." He further added that, "He's loved by everybody."

In a post on Jimmie Johnson's website, Janway is remembered as "an incredible son, brother, uncle and friend and will be dearly missed."

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