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The sudden death of a skydiver has shocked the New Zealand skydiving community.
Police said the man died on the way to the hospital after skydiving near Kittyhawk Way, Mount Maunganui on Saturday morning.
The Civil Aviation Authority will send two investigators to Tauranga on Monday to determine what happened.
WorkSafe is also investigating, and the police and coroner are making inquiries.
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Cameron Avery / SUNLIVE
Emergency services at the scene of a fatal skydiving accident at Tauranga airport on Saturday morning.
The skydiver is believed to have worked for Tauranga Skydive, but had been skydiving only on Saturday.
In a statement, Tauranga Skydive CEO Donnie Banez said the company was saddened by the accident.
The man was a single-sport experienced skydiver who was completing a solo jump, Báñez said.
“After a normal free fall and a safe opening of the parachute, the sporty skydiver suffered injuries upon landing.”
All the information has been turned over to the corresponding authorities, Báñez said.
“He is a valued member of our parachute family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
“We have organized ongoing support for our team, and a private karakia was held to honor his memory.”
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One person died in a skydiving accident at the Tauranga airport.
Skydive Auckland Operations Manager Fiona McLaren said she did not know the man who died but agreed it would be a shock to everyone involved in the industry.
“It doesn’t matter if it is a serious or fatal injury, nobody wants something like that to happen.
“Obviously, the skydiving industry will be saddened by the loss of one of our own.
“We are a tight-knit community, but the effect of something like this will extend beyond the paratroopers.”
McLaren said the skydiving industry was heavily regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and the New Zealand Skydiving Industry Association.
He was “very professional in safety” during his skydiving career since 2004. He had worked at Skydive Auckland since 2012.
“There are strong security measures in place, but despite everyone’s best efforts, from time to time there may be incidents.
“I know Skydive Tauranga is a very well run business and they take safety very seriously, they are a great group of people,” said McLaren.
The New Zealand Parachute Federation facilitates skydiving sports competitions, but its vice president Lisa Chambers said she could not comment on the Tauranga incident because she did not know the details.
He referred to the New Zealand Parachute Industry Association. [NZPIA] which promoted safe skydiving through education, training, certification, and other qualification programs.
NZPIA President Stuart Bean was contacted for comment.
