Fractions of a second count in parachuting. Several years ago I was involved in a similar incident. During my deployment I suffered a collision with an unseen team member still in FF. The only reason that my case wasn't fatal was the difference of a fraction of a second. My collision occurred as my canopy was still in its deployment bag, hence the speed differential whilst horrendous wasn't fatal. We both survived although I suffered permanent spinal injuries and spent the next two years in and out of hospital and wearing a brace. Fractions of a second! RIP..