‘A charming and hardworking young man’: former director pays tribute to paratrooper

The 21-year-old who died in a skydiving accident over the weekend was a “charming, hard-working young man” who did well academically.

Experienced skydiver Theo Williams was completing a solo jump after a normal free fall and safe parachute opening at Tauranga Airport on Saturday morning when the disaster struck.

A witness has described how the paratrooper descended very fast and “spun like a corkscrew” before crashing hard on the ground.

CPR was performed at the scene, but Williams died in an ambulance on the way to Tauranga Hospital.

Hamilton Boy’s High School principal Susan Hassall said she was saddened to learn of her former student’s death.

“When I read it I thought that I hope he is not the same Theo Williams that we know and it was only during the day that we confirmed that he is.”

Even though he finished school at the end of 2017, Hassall remembered him as a “really lovely young man.”

“I remember he was a hard worker and was successful academically because he worked hard.

“He was part of our Year 13 mentoring group, so he had a leadership role at the school and supported the younger students in that role.”

She recalled that he was interested in languages ​​and academics at school, saying that his later love for adventure sports did not “manifest itself in the school world.”

Hassall, had been off-site Monday, but planned to speak with former teachers and reach out to his family on Tuesday to offer the school’s support.

“Our staff will be attending the funeral. I will definitely be in contact with the family offering our support and offering whatever the children can do to ensure that the service is an appropriate tribute to him.”

A former classmate remembered Williams as “a great classmate.”

“… you lived your life having the best adventure you could and I hope your adventure never ends. Thank you for all the good times at HBHS,” wrote one on social media.

The New Zealand Skydiving School has also expressed sadness over the death of the former skydiving student.

The school’s operations manager, Fiona McLaren, said the 21-year-old had a passion for extreme sport that took his life.

Staff and students were heartbroken by the tragedy.

“Theo was a dedicated student who loved skydiving, but he was a kind but confident young man,” McLaren said.

“He was often described as an ‘old soul’, he was well liked by all students and instructors, and he developed very strong bonds with his classmates.”

Kiko Afuie worked with Williams at Air New Zealand in Wellington until she left in early 2020 to complete her skydiving training.

Afuie said he was an amazing guy, who loved the outdoors and was always on the go.

Another friend has paid tribute to Williams on social media as the “funniest, most sincere, most dedicated and most understanding person.”

“I feel very privileged to have met you. You made the world a better place. I will always miss you and love you like a brother.”

Emergency services were called to the Bay of Plenty airport on Kittyhawk Way at 10.33 a.m. Saturday after reports that a paratrooper had crashed.