Roanoke Rapids businessman dies in a skydiving accident

A Roanoke Rapids businessman appears to have died instantly upon impact in a skydiving accident in Florida on Friday, police said.

Paul C. Luter III, 68,  is the listed owner of Countryside Interiors on Roanoke Avenue.

Skydive City general manager David T.K. Hayes said it appears Luter's main shoot didn't open properly. By the time Luter cut away from his main parachute at about 300 feet, there was not enough altitude for the reserve parachute to deploy.

Luter was an experienced skydiver.

The Zephyrhills Police Department is investigating the incident. Zephyrhills is about 30 miles northeast of Tampa.