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Skydiver crashes into beer server at cole slaw wrestling event

Posted Wednesday, March 7, 2001

By Donna Callea

SAMSULA -- What was intended to be an eye-catching start to the annual Bike Week cole slaw wresting event at Sopotnik's Cabbage Patch turned scary this afternoon when a skydiver landed on a woman serving beer at the edge of the huge outdoor makeshift arena.

Sherri Lee, 37, of Daytona Beach Shores, was knocked unconscious when the skydiver landed on top of her at about 1:40 p.m. The collision occurred in front of a beer truck where she was walking with a tray of beverages. Within minutes a Volusia County Fire and Rescue team responded, and she was airlifted by helicopter to Halifax Medical Center at about 1:40 p.m.

"I didn't even see her," said the skydiver, Clarence Swimm, shortly after the accident. "It wasn't my fault."

Swimm, 56, an independent parachutist hired by the Cabbage Patch, said he was uninjured, although "it knocked the wind out of me."

He said there was no way he could stop the landing. "It wasn't my fault."

Lee was reportedly a volunteer server for the Slovene National Benefit Society.

Halifax Medical Center personnel could not release her condition until family members had been notified. But Sheriff's Department spokesman Gary Davidson said she had swelling to the face, left eye and mouth.

Although the incident put a temporary damper on the festivities, which drew an estimated 25,000 bikers, the coleslaw wrestling went on as usual about 15 minutes later.

Woman still hospitalized after being hit by skydiver

03/09/2001

DAYTONA BEACH -- A Daytona Beach Shores woman injured when a sky diver landed on top of her at the Cabbage Patch in Samsula remained hospitalized Thursday in serious but stable condition.

Sherri Lee, 37, was serving beer in the huge outdoor arena set up for the annual Bike Week coleslaw wrestling event when Clarence Swimm, a parachutist hired by the Cabbage Patch to kickoff the wrestling, collided with her as he made his descent Wednesday afternoon.

Lee's attorney, Brian Toung of Daytona Beach, said she suffered injuries to her face, head and neck and is now conscious but "very confused." She is in neck traction in the surgical intensive care unit at Halifax Medical Center, and undergoing diagnostic tests.

"There is a concern she may have brain and (spinal) chord damage," he said. Her mother, Barbara Mooney of New Smyrna Beach, has been with her at the hospital.

Toung said Lee, who lives in Ormond Beach, holds down two jobs as a waitress -- at Pizzeria Uno in Daytona Beach and at the Old Florida Club in Ponce Inlet -- but has no health insurance. She was working as a volunteer server at the coleslaw event and walking in front of the beverage table set up at one end of the arena when the accident happened. Swimm was not injured.

Toung said he planned to file suit Friday in circuit court against Cabbage Patch owner Ron Luznar and Swimm, as well as "anyone who could share liability."

According to sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson, no criminal charges are being filed.




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