Australian man, 42, dies in BASE jumping accident in Italy

An Australian father and experienced BASE jumper has died in an accident while participating in a competition in Italy.

An Australian father has died in a freak accident during an international BASE jumping competition in Italy.

James Nowland, 42, died in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy’s north east on Wednesday with investigators suspecting there was a technical issue with his parachute.

The Perth man crashed into a road 400m above his intended landing site after jumping from the summit of Sass Pordoi, a plateau popular for BASE jumping.

Experienced Australian BASE jumper James Nowland has died in Italy. Picture: Instagram/James Nowland

A helicopter and a mountain rescue team were deployed after being alerted by a group of Australians Mr Nowland was with, but they were unable to revive him.

Investigators suspect a technical issue prevented Mr Nowland’s parachute from opening in time.

“We tried to do our best to save (him)... there was nothing to do for him,” rescuer Andrea Dorigatti told 7NEWS.

“I asked the friends and they told me that the problem was with the parachute that didn’t get open.”

Mr Nowland was taking part in the Pordoi BASE Race, a competition where BASE jumpers try to get the fastest time between the summit of Sass Pordoi and the finish line at the bottom of the mountain.

The father was taking part in an international BASE jumping competition. Picture: James Nowland/Instagram

In a tribute shared to Facebook, Mr Nowland’s brother Adrian said, “Hope you’re soaring through the clouds doing what you love forever.”