Man fights for life as Torquay skydiving accident investigation begins
A skydiving accident on the Surf Coast – one of many in recent years – is under investigation as the man remains in hospital in a critical condition.
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A man is fighting for life after a skydiving accident on the Surf Coast, adding to the list of jumps gone wrong in recent years.
Emergency services were called to Torquay airport on Blackgate Rd just before 5pm on Sunday.
Paramedics treated a man in his 30s for lower body injuries.
He was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
As of Monday afternoon, the man was in a critical condition.
The man, an experienced skydiver, was performing a solo jump, as he had done hundreds of times before.
Australian Parachute Federation chief executive Stephen Porter said he understood the man’s parachute opened and functioned normally, but he had a hard landing and sustained multiple injuries.
“The Australian Parachute Federation has started a full investigation so any comments prior to the outcome would be premature,” he said.
“The incident yesterday is a reminder to all sports jumpers and the skydiving community right across Australia to take every opportunity to make safety the priority.
“Our thoughts and best wishes go to him, his family and the skydiving community and we are hoping for a speedy recovery.”
There have been multiple incidents involving Australian Skydive, which is based out of Torquay airport, in recent years.
In October 2022, a solo skydiving student suffered spinal injuries after a hard landing at the Torquay airport.
In July 2022, a man died after attempting his first jump in a wingsuit near Connewarre.
The experienced skydiver’s primary and backup parachutes failed to deploy.
In July 2021, a parachute instructor died and another man was taken to hospital after a tandem jump went horribly wrong.
The pair’s primary parachute failed to deploy.
They attempted to open their backup parachute but crashed landed in a paddock.
The Geelong Advertiser is not aware of any adverse findings against the business.
Australian Skydive have been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Man fights for life as Torquay skydiving accident investigation begins
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