Suffolk Police helicopter takes off from scene of fatal accident at Skydive Long Island Wednesday afternoon. (Photo: Peter Blasl)

(Updated: 10:14 p.m.) A student skydiver was killed and his instructor seriously injured in an accident at Skydive Long Island in Calverton this afternoon.

The injured survivor was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition, according to Riverhead Police.

The two men had been participating in a tandem jump at the skydiving facility. Both were treated at the scene by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The student jumper was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Staff members at the Skydive Long Island called Riverhead Police just after 4 p.m., reporting a person at that location with a severe head injury. Management and crew at Skydive were requesting a county police helicopter to respond to the scene, according to radio reports.

Police detectives and the Federal Aviation Administration are at the scene investigating the accident, Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller said. 

Police are withholding the names of the people involved in the accident pending notification of their families, according to a police press release.

Check back for additional information as it becomes available.

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Denise is a veteran local reporter, editor and attorney. Her work has been recognized with numerous journalism awards, including investigative reporting and writer of the year awards from the N.Y. Press Association. She was also honored in 2020 with a NY State Senate Woman of Distinction Award for her trailblazing work in local online news. She is a founder, owner and co-publisher of this website.Email Denise.