Eric Hill, a contestant on the popular ABC marriage-game reality show The Bachelorette has passed away due to injuries he’d sustained during a paragliding accident. Hill had been cast as a gentleman caller vying for the affections of Andi Dorfman, the star of the upcoming season of the reality series. Hill was seriously hurt after his parachute collapsed and he crashed into a hillside.

In a statement, ABC producers commented, “We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic passing of our friend, Eric Hill. Eric inspired us every day with his passion, his courage and his adventurous spirit, and for that we are very thankful. On behalf of our cast, crew and producers, we send our love, our thoughts and our prayers to Eric’s family during this difficult time.”

The Bachelorette host Chris Harrison commented on Hill’s passing via Twitter:

On behalf of all of us at The Bachelor our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Eric Hill. He will be missed

— Chris Harrison (@chrisbharrison) April 23, 2014

After his parachute failed, Hill was medevaced from the scene to a Utah hospital and put into a medically-induced coma, where he later died. Utah’s Unified Fire Authority Battalion Chief Brian Anderton told US Weekly, “Due to the slope of the hill, we had a difficult time getting the patient down, so we called in a technical rescue team and some technical medical specialists.”

Bachelorette contestant Eric Hill dies: http://t.co/FI1JVl7lGo Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) April 23, 2014

Eric Hill got first one-on-one date with #Bachelorette Andi Dorfman. @usweekly @BacheloretteABC #EricHill | Right Now http://t.co/TCe4pqGV5n

— Link My Fan (@LinkMyFan) April 23, 2014

Hill’s sister Tracy announced his death via Facebook, writing, “Eric shared his final journey with us this morning as all his immediate family were able to be at his side when he passed away. Thank you to all of your love and support and prayers and fasting. … He gave us such a gift of a life fully lived and fully shared, and allowed us all to be a part of his last adventure here on earth. It is hard to think of life without his bright spark, but we know he is on to new adventures. We look forward to carrying on his legacy here and greeting him joyfully again someday. I love you so much, little brother!”

Image via YouTube