MONTREAL — The family of Canadian skydiver Aime-Jean St. Hilaire Adam says it is dealing with a deep loss after his sudden death this week in California.
“We knew it was a sport that had its risks and we were worried when we’d find out he was jumping, but we weren’t prepared for this,” said Marie-Anne Adam, the 27-year-old’s cousin.
But the family can take some solace knowing he died doing what he loved, she added.
St. Hilaire Adam died Monday after coming into contact with a fellow jumper mid-air while wearing a wingsuit. He lost consciousness and slammed into the roof of a home southwest of Perris Valley Airport, a popular spot for skydivers about 112 kilometres from Los Angeles.
He did land under a parachute but was pronounced dead by authorities.
St. Hilaire Adam, who is survived by his parents and a younger sister, was well loved by friends and family and had a penchant for pushing the limits, his cousin said.
“Ever since he was young, he always needed adrenalin: snowboarding, surfing,” she said, adding he worked as a lineman all over Western Canada, Newfoundland and the United States.
“The job (lineman) involved helicopters on towers that were ultra-high,” she added. “He always liked the adrenalin.”