WINONA, Minn. – A device used by skydivers to deploy their parachutes went off accidentally in a West Side backyard and crashed through a second-floor window next door and lodged in the bedroom ceiling. There were no injuries, but, wow, what a way to wake up. The device was about the size of a plastic soda-pop bottle. The man who accidentally deployed the device told the neighbor he would pay for repairs. This was in the 450 block of West Wabasha Street.
Skydiver’s friend. Used to activate a reserve parachute automatically at a pre-designated altitude. This model, from Cypres manufacturing, retails about $1,200. Cypres is shoptalk for “cybernetic parachute release system.”