Michigan BASE jumper dies after launching from TV news tower
RIVES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - A 31-year-old suburban Detroit man has died after his parachute failed to deploy while BASE jumping from a TV news tower.
Michigan State Police Sgt. Kevin Caldwell confirms Thursday that Josh Sheppard of Southfield was killed Wednesday evening in the fall from the 1,000-foot tower in Jackson County's Rives Township.
An employee of WLAJ-TV called police to report the incident.
Caldwell says Sheppard went to the tower by himself and authorities are not aware that he told anyone else he was planning to jump. He says Sheppard did not have permission to climb the tower.
Police earlier said the death was an accident, but Caldwell says it is under investigation.
BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth.
A television tower as seen in a field along Baseline Road in Rives Township, about 15 miles north of Jackson, Mich., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015. Michigan State Police say a BASE jumper died the night before, after his parachute failed to deploy after launching from the 1,000 foot tower. BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth. (AP Photo/The Jackson Citizen Patriot, J. Scott Park ) ALL LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL TELEVISION INTERNET OUT
The Associated Press
The gate at the site of a television tower is locked in Rives Township, about 15 miles north of Jackson, Mich., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015. Michigan State Police say a BASE jumper died the night before, after his parachute failed to deploy after launching from the 1,000 foot tower. BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth. (AP Photo/The Jackson Citizen Patriot, J. Scott Park ) ALL LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL TELEVISION INTERNET OUT
The Associated Press
A television tower as seen in a field along Baseline Road in Rives Township, about 15 miles north of Jackson, Mich., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015. Michigan State Police say a BASE jumper died the night before, after his parachute failed to deploy after launching from the 1,000 foot tower. BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth. (AP Photo/The Jackson Citizen Patriot, J. Scott Park ) ALL LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL TELEVISION INTERNET OUT
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Wednesday, evening, Jan. 14, 2015, emergency personnel respond at the site of a television tower in a field along Baseline Road in Rives Township, about 15 miles north of Jackson, Mich. Michigan State Police say a BASE jumper died Wednesday night, after his parachute failed to deploy after launching from the from the 1,000 foot tower. BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth. (AP Photo/The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Danielle Duval) ALL LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL TELEVISION INTERNET OUT
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Wednesday, evening, Jan. 14, 2015, emergency personnel respond at the site of a television tower in a field along Baseline Road in Rives Township, about 15 miles north of Jackson, Mich. Michigan State Police say a BASE jumper died Wednesday night, after his parachute failed to deploy after launching from the from the 1,000 foot tower. BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth. (AP Photo/The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Danielle Duval) ALL LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL TELEVISION INTERNET OUT
The Associated Press
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