Skydiving soldier rescued from power lines in DeLand

Power turned off in area as firefighters rescue skydiver

DeLAND, Fla. – A soldier on a parachuting training exercise was rescued Monday morning after becoming stuck in power lines in Volusia County, authorities said.

The incident happened near DeLand Municipal Airport.

Deputies said Soldier Carlos Esparza, 33, from Fort Bragg, was following behind his squad when he drifted into a power pole in the 1300 block of Yorktown Street.

Esparza was tangled in the parachute chords and hanging from the wires on top of the pole, according to the report.

According to officials, DeLand and Volusia fire crews were called to the area and had the power turned off.  A short time later, firefighters rescued Esparza.

Volusia fire officials said Esparza was not injured.

Officials said Engine 42, Squad Engine 46, Battalion 30, Battalion 40, DeLand FD Ladder 81, Battalion 80, and VC EMS 225 all responded to the call.