Skydiver suffers multiple serious spinal injuries in hard landing north of Goondiwindi

A Gold Coast skydiver who crash-landed after a jump gone wrong in southwest Queensland has been identified. Read the latest.

A Gold Coast skydiving coach has suffered serious spinal injuries after a dive went horribly wrong in southwest Queensland.

iFly Surfers Paradise skydiving instructor Jason Bennett landed hard after a jump at Tarawera in the Goondiwindi region on Monday afternoon.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were called to an address on Meandarra Talwood Rd, north of Goondiwindi, about 3pm after reports of a skydiver hitting the ground with force.

The spokeswoman said Mr Bennett suffered several serious injuries, with paramedics stabilising him before he was loaded onto a Rescue 500 chopper and flown to Toowoomba Hospital.

Gold Coast skydiving instructor Jason Bennett sustained serious injuries following a hard landing while skydiving near Goondiwindi (Photo: Instagram)

Rescue 500 records show the man spent 20 minutes in Toowoomba, before being transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

A spokesperson at the Princess Alexandra Hospital confirmed Mr Bennett was in a “stable condition”.

A manager at iFly Surfers Paradise confirmed that the skydiving instructor was involved in the incident.

“We haven't heard much information about it to be honest,” she said.

“Just that there has been an accident, that's it. We’re still waiting to hear more.”

Skydiver Jason Bennett was airlifted to Toowoomba Hospital and then the Princess Alexandra Hospital following a horror hard landing while skydiving near Goondiwindi (Photo: Instagram)

A five-day skydiving event, Jyro Boogie 2023, is under way at the site of the hard landing.

It is hosted by the Funny Farm Oz, a Darling Downs-based skydiving venue on Meandarra Talwood Rd.

The venue has been contacted for comment.

Monday’s rough landing at Tarawera comes just days after another ‘experienced’ skydiver was critically injured at Laguna Quays. He was Douglas Ball, with strong Gold Coast ties. He was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he later died.

On Tuesday morning, a female skydiver suffered a similar hard landing close to the same drop zone where the man suffered the fatal injuries mere weeks before.

Paramedics are treating the woman who has a leg injury as result of the hard landing.

Gold Coast Skydive owner Archie Jamieson said there should be no concern for the industry’s safety standards.

“Without a doubt, our safety standards in Australia are by far the best in the world,” he said.

“It is very unfortunate, but accidents do happen.

“I saw three car accidents with ambulances (attending) yesterday as I was driving around the Gold Coast.

“I don’t think there are any problems within the skydiving industry.”

Gold Coast skydiving instructor Jason Bennett sustained serious injuries following a hard landing while skydiving near Goondiwindi (Photo: Instagram)

Australian Parachute Federation chief executive officer Richard McCooey said skydiving was an adventure sport that involved risk.

“Snow skiing, motorcycle riding are also sports with such risks. Skydivers all know the risks of participation but are still shocked when an accident occurs,” Mr McCooey said.

“Skydiving injuries are not very common and do tend to come in clusters. Queensland may not have another serious incident for an extended period.

“Safety is our number one priority in this adventure sport and always will be.”

Mr McCooey confirmed the Australian Parachute Federation was assisting police with technical aspects of this incident and the coroner will determine the cause. They offered their sympathies to Mr Ball’s family and friends.