AN ELDERLY MAN has died after his parachute failed to open during a Base jump in the United States.

The Associated Press reports that the 73-year-old James E Hickey died when his parachute deployed too late.

The incident took place at the Perrine Bridge at the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.

It is the second death this year at the popular Base jumping site.

A friend of Hickey told Reuters that he had taken part in more than a thousand Base jumps since he took up the sport a decade ago.

Base jumping, an acronym for building, antenna, span, and Earth, involves jumping from cliffs and man-made objects such as bridges.

Watch: Three Base jumpers arrested after 1,776-foot jump off the World Trade Centre >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

Elderly man dies after Base jump goes wrong

Watch: Three Base jumpers arrested after 1,776-foot jump off the World Trade Centre >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.