FRANKLIN COUNTY- A professional skydiver was killed in a tragic accident. 

It happened around 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Triangle Skydiving Center in Louisburg.

During a routine jump, 25-year-old James Stremmel died upon landing.  Stremmel was a professional skydiver.

Triangle Skydiving Center owner Greg Upper says Stremmel was a friend and former Marine.  “James and I jumped on a regular basis together. So, yes I talked to him before I got on that plane. My last contact with him was 20 minutes before he died," he said. 

Upper said he is not sure if a malfunctioning parachute led to the accident.            

Law enforcement officials say they understand the parachute did not open. 

The FAA has been notified about the incident.