Why do people die when skydiving?

Answer 1

Usually because they hit the ground or water at a much greater speed than was expected. That would be as a result of a malfunction of the main parachute and/or reserve, hitting another skydiver's open canopy whilst still in free fall or trying a radical manoeuvre under canopy too close to the ground. Some have died as a result of hitting an object (such as a building, pylons or an airborne aircraft), but it is extremely rare.

It's actually quite difficult to kill yourself with modern equipment as even if you were somehow rendered unconscious or couldn't be 'bothered' to open your parachute, the reserve would open automatically if you went past 750' at too great a speed.

Forget the myth about people 'dying from shock' before they hit the ground - it's simply not true.