Base jumper, Eiliv Ruud, from Norway killed in northern Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - A Norwegian man is dead after a base jumping accident in northern Arizona.

Coconino County Sheriff's officials say the body of 37-year-old Eiliv Ruud, of Foss Fallskjeriy, was retrieved Wednesday from the Salt Trail Canyon.

They say Ruud was with two other Norway citizens who planned to base jump Tuesday afternoon at the canyon, which is a tributary of the Little Colorado River.

Ruud went first and jumped from a height of about 1,000 feet.

But witnesses say it appeared Ruud was blown into the canyon wall by a gust of wind halfway into his jump. They say his parachute deployed, but he spiraled out of control to the canyon floor.

Rescue crews were flown in and had to hike into the canyon to reach Ruud, who was confirmed dead.