A California skydiving student who was killed with her diving instructor when the pair hit a freak “dust devil” was identified this week as an outgoing 28-year-old “who touched everyone.”
Kayla Kieko Black was skydiving with veteran instructor Devrey LaRiccia in Riverside County on Friday when the pair hit two “dust devils,” which are small but strong tornado-like whirlwinds, KTTV-TV News reported.
The whirlwinds sent them into an “uncontrollable spin” that plunged them to their deaths, the outlet said.
“Kayla was deeply cherished by her family and friends, who will forever remember her kindness, warmth and unwavering support,” her family said in a GoFundMe page set up for Black.
“In this time of immense sorrow we find solace in knowing that Kayla’s legacy will live on through her selfless decision to be an organ donor,” the post said.
“Her generosity will provide hope and new beginnings for many individuals and families in need.”
Black was jumping in tandem with LaRiccia, an instructor with Skydive Perrisand and the wife of famed skydiver Freddy Chase.
LaRiccia, 28, was able to glide away from the first gust but the two were trapped by the second, KTTV said.
“Eyewitnesses report that the tandem pair experience a normal free fall and parachute deployment,” Skydive Perris manager Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld said in a statement, the outlet reported.
“All aspects of the equipment and skydive was normal without any reported issues until the landing sequence.
“While preparing for landing the tandem pair hit disturbed air known as a ‘dust devil.’ The interaction with this sudden disturbed air causes turbulence and a hard landing for both individuals,” he said.
Both women were rushed to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
LaRiccia’s family also started a GoFundMe page to help bring her body to her native state of Maine for burial, with the site raising more than $59,000 by Thursday afternoon.
Black’s friends and relatives have so far raised nearly $34,000 for her funeral expenses.
Skyline Perris is a local draw about 70 miles east of Los Angeles, and has hosted celebrities including actor Tom Cruise, who jumped while filming “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”
