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Record-Breaking Parachutist Dies in Moscow Hospital

Sinitsyna was twice named world parachuting champion, won two European titles and set several national records in the sport.

Record-breaking Russian parachutist Irina Sinitsyna died in a Moscow hospital ward Tuesday after breaking several bones in her neck during a U.S. sky dive.

Sinitsyna, 35, injured herself Sept. 23, when she became tangled with another parachutist during a group sky dive over southern California, RIA-Novosti reported.

Her main parachute failed, and although a backup parachute opened before she hit the ground, she landed at speed and lost consciousness. No other parachutists were injured in the incident, which was captured on video.

An Emergency Situations Ministry helicopter delivered her to Moscow's Burdenko Neurological Institute on Friday, when news reports said he remained in critical condition.

Her brother, Boris Sinitsyn, told RIA-Novosti that she would be buried in the Vostryakovskoye Cemetery in the capital's southwest.

Sinitsyna was twice named world parachuting champion, won two European titles and set several national records in the sport. In June, she led 99 other female parachutists in the successful "Russian pearls" record attempt.

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