Two skydivers injured in collision at Toogoolawah Showgrounds

The owner of the skydiving business at the heart of a high-speed mid-air collision of two parachuters has revealed details of the manoeuvre the pair was participating in leading up to the incident.

Emergency crews have responded to a collision involving two skydivers next to the Toogoolawah Showground, which happened about 9.30am on Sunday.

Jeff Stephens, 70, who was camping with his son Jason Morris, 38, saw the incident unfold in front of them while they were at the showground.

Emergency crews and a rescue helicopter have rushed to a Queensland skydiving hotspot following a mid-air collision between two skydivers Sunday morning. Photo: Jeff Stephens.

He said the skydiver, a 37-year-old with over 300 jumps, appeared unconscious while descending under his parachute.

“He came down very hard onto an open field next to the Toogoolawah Showgrounds and rail trail,” Mr Stephens said.

“Our son raced over to render assistance and called for an ambulance.

“Other friends camping saw him coming down very limp and wondered why he was so far off course … I hope he’s OK.”

He said the second skydiver landed shortly after at the same spot.

Skydive Ramblers operates as the local skydiving dropzone in Toogoolawah, located just northeast of the showground.

Skydive Ramblers owner Dave McEvoy said the two men were part of a group of four skydivers when they collided as the group was breaking apart.

“Angles flying is a high-speed discipline in skydiving that is growing in popularity around the world. It involves angling the body so that the skydivers are free-falling headfirst,” Mr McEvoy said.

“We are incredibly grateful to the first responders and emergency services personnel who provided first aid care and arranged for him to be airlifted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital”.

Emergency crews and a rescue helicopter have rushed to a Queensland skydiving hotspot following a mid-air collision between two skydivers Sunday morning. Photo: Jeff Stephens.

Australian Parachute Federation (APF) Chief Executive Officer Stephen Porter said an investigator would travel to the drop zone to begin a comprehensive investigation and understand what led to the incident.

“It is too early to understand what caused the collision, but we do know that the 37-year-old man’s automatic activation device opened his reserve parachute and allowed him to land in a paddock next to the Toogoolawah Showground,” Mr Porter said.

“Our thoughts are with the injured men and their families, as well as the broader skydiving community.

“APF will work alongside Queensland Police as part of their investigation.

“In addition, we will conduct our own investigation, as we do with all serious parachute incidents to improve safety measures for the future,” he said.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the two male patients were taken to separate hospitals; one by road and the other by helicopter.

“We’ve got one patient with potentially life-threatening head injuries … it looks like they will be going to Royal Brisbane (Hospital),” the spokeswoman said.

The other patient, a man in his late 30s, was experiencing “upper leg pain” and was taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital in stable condition.

The latest incident comes after a young woman sustained spinal injuries following a skydiving incident in the same area last month.

The 25-year-old woman had 30 jumps under her belt prior to the incident, which happened during a solo training jump at about 1.30pm at Toogoolawah.

Originally published as Two skydivers injured in collision at Toogoolawah Showgrounds