Parachutist dies after incident on Meandarra Talwood Rd, Tarawera

The skydiving community is reeling after a 25-year-old ‘experienced skydiver’ died after a bad landing at a western Queensland property, with investigations under way into the cause of the tragedy.

A skydiver has died after suffering life-threatening injuries in a parachuting incident on a property in Tarawera, on Meandarra Talwood Road.

A 25-year-old Scarborough man is confirmed dead after a parachuting incident in South West Queensland, with an investigation into the tragedy under way.

As the skydiving community reels from the man’s death, investigations by the Australian Parachute Federation and the Queensland Police Service into how and why the incident happened have started.

Emergency services were tasked to the incident just before 8am Tuesday morning, after reports of a parachuting incident on a rural property in Tarawera, north of Goondiwindi.

Paramedics assessed the man at the scene for life-threatening injuries, but no patients were taken to hospital, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

Two ambulance crews, including a rescue chopper, were called to the property on Meandarra-Talwood Rd in Tarawera.

Southern Downs Inspector Kelly Hanlen said police have been tasked to investigate the death.

“The Forensic Crash Unit and Scenes of Crime officers have been tasked to the incident,” she said.

“It is under full investigation and detectives from Criminal Investigation Branch will attend.”

Police are treating the matter as non-suspicious.

The Australian Parachute Federation will be leading the investigation, supported by police.

A spokesperson for APF said the man had successfully landed more than 600 jumps, and had been involved in the sport since 2022.

“The man attempted a group jump this morning at an organised, coached event for experienced skydivers. It is understood the man’s parachute opened and functioned normally, but he landed badly and sustained multiple serious injuries,” the spokesperson said.

“Four other skydivers landed safely.

“First aid was administered and arrangements were made for him to be transported to hospital via helicopter, but sadly he did not survive his injuries and died at the scene.”

APF chief executive, Stephen Porter, said the man had grown up in the skydiving community.

“Our thoughts are with the young man’s family, which has been part of the skydiving community for many years, and we offer our condolences at this sad time,” Mr Porter said.

An APF safety and training officer is on their way to the rural property, to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident, and how safety measures can be improved in future, he said.

It is understood the incident happened at Funny Farm, which was hosting a five-day skills camp at the property from August 26 to 30, according to their Facebook page.