In a tragic skydiving incident, a 73-year-old experienced skydiver lost his life after encountering complications while attempting to deploy his parachute. The incident occurred on January 31 at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, Arizona.

According to the Eloy Police Department, Terry Gardner, along with three friends, had embarked on their third jump of the day, aiming to complete a formation jump at 14,000 feet. However, they were unable to complete the formation and proceeded to land separately. Authorities stated that the incomplete formation did not contribute to the accident, and the other three skydivers landed safely.

Gardner encountered unexpected complications while deploying his parachute, resulting in a hard landing without a fully deployed parachute. Eloy Fire personnel administered life-saving measures before rushing him to Casa Grande Banner hospital. Tragically, Gardner succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The cause of the incident remains uncertain, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to Gardner's death. The police department expressed condolences to all who knew and loved Terry Gardner.

Both the Eloy Police Department and Skydive Arizona have not yet responded to requests for comment from PEOPLE.

According to a spokesperson for Skydive Arizona, eyewitnesses reported an uneventful free fall portion of the skydive that went as planned. However, when Gardner deployed his parachute at a predetermined altitude, observers noticed a problem with the main parachute. The spokesperson stated that Gardner did not deploy the reserve parachute, and the equipment used during the jump belonged to Gardner himself. Weather conditions at the time were described as clear and calm.

Skydive Arizona extended its heartfelt condolences to Gardner's family and friends, emphasizing that the loss deeply impacts their community. The company assured its cooperation with authorities during the investigation.

Sara Curtis, the vice mayor of Eloy and a fellow skydiver, remembered Gardner as someone with a kind heart who enjoyed life. She described him as an expert skydiver who would lead others on jumps, guiding them and helping them learn. Curtis expressed that Gardner died doing what he loved and pursuing his passions and dreams.

The skydiving community mourns the loss of Terry Gardner, a beloved member who will be greatly missed. As investigations continue, the skydiving industry will hope to learn from this tragic incident to enhance safety measures and prevent any future accidents.