A first-time skydiver slipped from her harness during a jump Saturday and fell to her death, authorities said.

The 44-year-old woman from West Chester, Pa., was participating in a tandem jump, her first with the AerOhio Skydiving school near Sterling, about 40 miles south of Cleveland, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's office.

The victim's name was withheld pending notification of her family.

During tandem jumps, a novice skydiver is harnessed to the chest of an experienced jumper. When the parachute is deployed, the experienced skydiver guides the team to the ground.

A preliminary investigation by the sheriff's office indicated the woman slipped from the harness after the parachute opened.

It is not known how far the woman fell, and the sheriff's office did not release any further details.

A message seeking comment was left Saturday night at AerOhio Skydiving.