How does Stuart Woods use imagery in New York Dead?

Imagery:

"She was free-falling, spread-eagled, like a sky diver. Only she didn't have a parachute."

"The earth was thousands of feet below her, and she was wearing a jumpsuit and a helmet and had an unopened parachute strapped to her back. She was grinning at the camera, exposing rows of large, white teeth; her eyes were wide behind goggles."