Skydiver Lands on Army Band-IreChordTV

By JOHN MILBURN, Associated Press Writer Fri Jul 18, 12:17 AM ET

FORT RILEY, Kan. - A parachutist went off course Thursday at the start of a military review and dropped feet-first into the 1st Infantry Division's band, injuring three players.
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Several thousand people watched as the man under the red, white and blue parachute landed on the 30-member band, about 50 yards off target. A gasp went up from the crowd, followed by silence as at least a dozen people rushed over to help.

"I hear, 'Oh, expletive,' and immediately, I hear a crash,'" said the band's commander, Chief Warrant Officer Scott MacDonald.

The three injured band members were treated and released from Irwin Army Community Hospital. The parachutist, Scott Hallock, refused treatment at the scene.

"We know that they're going to be all right," said Gen. Charles Campbell, head of the Army's Forces Command, during opening remarks.

Two tubas were destroyed, said Mike Keating, assistant chief of the post's Fire Department. MacDonald said a trumpet was also damaged.

MacDonald said band members had been standing, waiting for the start of the ceremony and weren't looking up. He said they didn't hear anything except a brief rustling of the jumper's parachute.

He hit the back row, landing feet first, MacDonald said.

Band member Sgt. Rachel Boggs was knocked unconscious and had a fractured jaw, hospital spokeswoman Lisa Medrano said. Sgt. Andrew Spinazzolla suffered minor neck and head injuries and had a fractured ankle, Medrano said. Staff Sgt. Mark Lucero sustained what Medrano called a minor leg injury.

Two parachutists jumped from a single-engine plane at about 6,000 feet. Keating said the second jumper's parachute lines apparently became tangled, pulling him off course.

MacDonald said he wondered briefly whether he had enough members left to perform.

"We did soldier on," he said. The band played the division's and the Army's fight songs, then sounded a trumpet cavalry charge.

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[lclaughton]

I was wondering if you could tell me more about the Army Band in this video? I am a former member of the First Army New York Band, Staten Island NY. I was wondering if you recall that Band?

How strange to have the Band's formation intruded upon like that by a wayward skydiver???

[IreChord]

I remember that band personally. I too was a member when it was called the 26th Army Band of New York City, Ft Hamilton, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Just on the other side of the Narrows from Ft Wadsworth Staten Island.

And yes it is strange... the sousaphones got death from above! Weird and funny.

[r0s13p0s13]

It's First Infantry Band at Fort Riley Kansas.

secondly (this isn't towards you, it's towards the moron who made the video)

you might want to fix the "no major injuries"

unless you recall a broken jaw not major..

[IreChord]

FIRST: A little something about America's military bands: The First Infantry Band WAS originally located at Fort Hamilton Brooklyn, NY, then moved to Fort Wadsworth Staten Island, NY and then moved BACK to Fort Hamilton Brooklyn, NY, BEFORE being reassigned to Fort Riley, Kansas. This is what "lclaughton" and myself referred to above.

.

SECOND: A broken jaw is not "life threatening"; which is what I would signify as a "major injury". This is why it says "no major injuries".

OK?

IreChord

[RoccoLaurie]

odd, theysaid one guy die............ wird.

[IncomingMonkeyTurd]

Trombone took the first hit...

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[recontrooper777]

1st infantry band..i saw this live..LOL

[lclaughton]

What Army Band was this Please?

[ouirdoe]

actually, if no one was seriously hurt that's kinda funny. but i play percussion so...