A real estate mogul has died after colliding with another skydiver during a group jump in Washington state. Randy Hubbs, 70, was one of 11 people participating in a jump at Skydive West Plains of Ritzville around 5.30pm on Monday, the Adams County Sheriff's office said.
Details of the Incident
He collided with fellow diver Nicole Klein during their descent from the plane and seemingly lost control of his parachute, staff told investigators. Hubbs appeared to be unresponsive, with witnesses telling police how his head and arms appeared to go limp after he collided with Klein. Skydive staff tracked him from about 500 feet above ground level as he drifted north, away from the designated drop zone, and disappeared from view beyond a hill.
Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene to investigate and Hubbs was later released into the care of the Adams County Coroner's Office. An autopsy will be carried out to determine his exact cause of death. Klein, who like Hubbs is an experienced skydiver, was injured and taken to a nearby hospital. Her current condition remains unknown.
Experience and Equipment
Skydive West Plains told reporters that Hubbs had completed more than 800 jumps and Klein roughly 900 before Monday's incident, according to Fox News. Both jumpers had been using their personally-owned equipment at the time of the crash. Officials noted that weather conditions are not considered to be a contributing factor in the deadly crash.
A Life of Skydiving and Real Estate
Last month, Hubbs reshared a photo from a group jump in 2022 on his Facebook page, telling his followers that he was 'getting ready for another awesome season at Skydive West Plains!' Hubbs has served as an active real estate broker and investor across the Tri-Cities area since at least February 2015, according to his LinkedIn profile. His profile touts more than 40 years of experience in teaching and real estate investing both in his community and internationally.
In addition to buying and selling homes himself, he allegedly helped his clients acquire and sell their own investment properties. He operated his real estate business, Investment Housing Specialists, alongside his wife Jana. The couple celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in June last year, a Facebook post revealed. 'They say opposites attract and I do believe that’s true 44 years later. Still totally in love!' Hubbs wrote.
Outside of investing, Hubbs served as the director of the Columbia Basin Jazz Orchestra. He had been involved in the orchestra since 1987 and served as the director since 2003. Before that he served as the Director of Instrumental Music at Paco High School.
