Twin dust devils killed a skydiver and her instructor as they fell to the ground from approximately 25 feet height and later succumbed to their injuries.
On August 2, 28-year-old Kayla Kieko Black was descending normally with her instructor, Devery LaRiccia Chase, also 28, when they faced the first dust devil at approximately 40 feet above the ground. While the duo managed to avoid the first dust devil successfully, they faced another one at about 25 feet of height.
This second dust devil forced them to spiral to the ground and inflicted severe injuries on the pair.
As an instructor, this was Chase’s last dive of the day, but it proved to be the last one of her life. Both Chase and Black were taken immediately to a hospital, where they could not recover from their life-threatening injuries.
A dust devil is a small and rotating air column that forms when hot air near the ground rises abruptly through a small portion of low-pressure cool air that is present above. This phenomenon creates a spinning updraft that can lift dust and debris off the ground to form a visible funnel-like pattern. Dust devils are typically much smaller and less intense than tornadoes, but in events like skydiving, they could prove consequential.
Regions like California, which are known for their deserts, are prone to being hit with dust devils as the ground temperature in these areas can rise quickly beyond normal levels.
Black, who lives in Buena Park, California, is a professional restaurant server and recently joined her new job at Benihana. Her father stated that she had an inspiring personality, which helped her touch multiple lives throughout her nine-year career.
The father further noted that she bought an RV and wanted to live a nomad lifestyle and work remotely.
A GoFundMe page that was started to collect funds for Black’s funeral coverage has already gathered nearly $39,000.
After receiving more than expected funds, the parents raised the target and updated the page, saying that they are planning to use additional funds to support causes Black liked and donate the rest to a charity.
