Two skydivers died Friday after colliding in midair during a jump over Lake Elsinore in Southern California, officials said.

The pair, described as licensed and experienced, were nearing the end of their jump when they hit each other and their parachutes became entangled shortly before noon, according to Skydive Elsinore.

"Eyewitnesses report that the freefall portion of the jump was normal and uneventful, and that both skydivers opened their parachutes at the expected altitude," Skydive Elsinore said in a statement. "As they prepared to land, the two skydivers collided at approximately 150 feet above the ground."

The Riverside County Fire Department said both skydivers suffered traumatic injuries. They were transported to a hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead, Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said by email. Their names were withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The collision occurred a little more than a half-mile from Skydive Elsinore. The cause was not immediately clear, and the center said there was no indication that either skydiver's equipment malfunctioned.

Spokesperson Josh Hall said the two were visiting from out of town and were taking part in the California Women's Upright Record team, which was organizing a world-record attempt for the number of women to complete a standing-stance dive.

The event had been scheduled to run through Sunday, according to a calendar posting. Organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hall said Skydive Elsinore was hosting the event but was not organizing it.

"Skydive Elsinore extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of both skydivers, and is grieving alongside all those affected," the center said in its statement.

The United States Parachute Association said 16 skydivers died in jumps in the United States last year, a figure it describes as low compared with the sport's most dangerous years in the 1970s. The association said there were an estimated 3.47 million jumps in 2025.

Lake Elsinore sits about 75 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.