Authorities say a young software engineer from Boston died in a freak skydiving accident in Massachusetts over the weekend.
Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam, 28, was thrown 30 feet by a sudden gust of wind about 4 p.m. Sunday after an airdrop at Jumptown Skydiving in Orange, Massachusetts, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office said.
According to officials, rescue workers took Gaddam to Athol Hospital in the neighboring town, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials said 28-year-old Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam fell 30 feet due to a sudden gust of wind. eyJpdiI6ImpFZS9vTHBTem5NNXpaUkJ2UHN3bHc9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiRTAwKzB6bUNrN2pZUnU5ckFaVS9OVTV0b0dmWFE2T09R S0s1bys0T240b2NHOThGMnlqd20yeS9ZRzUwTFdDOHJNOWFMa2pHMUNuVVpYOTZlTk02TGc9PSIsIm1hYyI6ImZhMDQxYWNkYWRm
According to his family, at the time of his death, Gaddam had obtained an A license from the United States Parachute Association, which allows skydivers to jump without direct instructor supervision.
The death of the young developer left the family “devastated”.
“Chandra was an exceptionally bright, kind and hard-working young man with a passion for learning and taking on new challenges,” his family said in a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs.
Jumptown Skydiving confirmed the fact that a “sudden and unpredictable weather event appears to have caused the accident” and said they are cooperating with authorities on the matter of Gaddam’s death.
Jumptown Skydiving confirmed the fact that “a sudden and unpredictable weather event appears to have caused the accident.” Jim – stock.adobe.com
“We are deeply saddened by the incident at our facility and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the affected skydiver,” the skydiving center said in a statement to WBZ-TV.
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According to his LinkedIn profile, Gaddam had been employed at Fidelity Investments in Boston for just over a year at the time of his death.
The young software developer studied in Hyderabad, India, before starting postgraduate studies in the USA.
“Chandra was an exceptionally bright, kind and hard-working young man with a passion for learning and taking on new challenges,” his family said in a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs. eyJpdiI6Iml1THNuWVJ3ZThlWm5xQWlRRmNxSUE9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiZmZQSmZNczA0NGxIWW5hZFkvUy9QTzdhYUFJODNlSWNh cVlVTVc4WEo2d3NMRHV4RktyWWJIMzZzTHF4Y1hSMmdIVEgxZmRZY2RDNjdMb09kVnBhd1E9PSIsIm1hYyI6ImY5NGY2MGVkOGUy
He studied computer science at Northwestern University and received his master’s degree in December 2024, according to his profile.
His death is being investigated by local and state police and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is determining the cause and manner of death.
https://nypost.com/2026/07/14/us-news/boston-software-engineer-killed-in-freak-skydiving-accident/
