Justin Goff has been identified as the 29-year-old United States Army Sgt. 1st Class soldier who was killed in a skydiving accident in North Carolina on Sunday, April 21. Sgt. Loyd Hames with the Oak Island Police Department called Goff’s death a “freak accident.”
According to Chris Franks, the Oak Island Police Department Assistant Chief, Goff tragically passed away following an accident at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Oak Island, North Carolina.
Franks said that while Goff’s parachute deployed, it was impacted by the high winds in the area.
“He came in too fast and, according to those who were there at the scene, he impacted the ground,” Franks told reporters.
Goff, who was originally from Florida, was stationed with the United States Army in nearby Fayetteville, North Carolina.
In a Facebook post, Omega Gymnastics — where Goff also worked as gymnastics coach — said that Goff will be “greatly missed.”
“It is with heavy hearts we share that our own Justin Goff, recreational and boys coach, father to one of our competitive team athletes, and one of our pre team athletes, passed away today, Sunday, April 21. He will be greatly missed by all of our Omega families and friends, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, 3 children, and his entire family and loved ones,” the statement from Omega Gymnastics begins.
“Coach Justin will be greatly missed by many of our gymnasts and tumblers, and we ask parents to please take the time to discuss this terrible news with your children so they are as prepared as they can be when returning to Omega,” the statement continues.
Goff, who was just 29-years-old at the time of his tragic passing, is survived by his wife and three children.
Sgt. Loyd Hames with the Oak Island Police Department told WECT that an autopsy will be performed to determine Goff’s specific cause of death.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Justin Goff’s friends, family, and various loved ones during this extremely difficult time.