Galwayman’s wife dies in horror parasailing fall
Stephen and Kathleen Miskell
By Martina Nee
A holiday adventure turned into tragedy for a Galwayman who was forced to watch in horror as his wife fell 200ft to her death after slipping out of a parasailing harness.
Investigations are being carried out and questions raised about the regulations governing parasailing following the accident which occurred last week off the coast of Pompano Beach in Florida, USA.
Stephen Miskell (31), originally from Killererin, near Tuam, but living in Connecticut where he owns a tiling company, had been enjoying a holiday with his 28-year-old wife Kathleen when tragedy struck.
According to reports, the couple went on a parasailing trip over the ocean with operators Wave Blast Water Sports which operates out of the Sands Hotel. Mr Miskell and his wife had been strapped together in a tandem 200ft parasail, however, it is understood that an equipment malfunction led to Kathleen coming free from the harness and falling to the waters below.
The boat operators quickly reeled Mr Miskell in and swerved around to recover Kathleen who was found face down in the water. She was pulled aboard and CPR was performed but proved unsuccessful. Mrs Miskell was transported to Broward Health North hospital where she was pronounced dead. Pompano Fire Rescue stated that Mrs Miskell, who was from Manchester, Connecticut, and who had worked as a teacher, had suffered a cardiac arrest.
