Skydiving operation reopens

A COMPREHENSIVE coroner’s report into the triple skydiving fatality at Mission Beach is being prepared as the Australian Parachute Federation rules out suspending the host company’s operations.

Skydiving resumed at the Cassowary Coast drop zone on Saturday morning for the first time since tandem instructor Peter Dawson, solo instructor Toby Turner and mother- ofeight Kerri Pike, 54, tragically died after a 14,000ft free fall on October 13.

The company, which has changed its name from Skydive The Beach to Experience Co Ltd, released a statement to the Australia Stock Exchange yesterday saying operations resumed after consultation with the families involved, Skydive Mission Beach staff and crew, and the APF.

Experience Co chief executive Anthony Ritter said the families and community supported the move.

“Our hearts will be bleeding for a long time to come for those families affected,” he said. “Re- opening on Saturday morning was a means to getting some normality back into the Mission Beach township, and it is comforting to know that we have the support of the families, our crew and the Mission Beach community in reopening our doors.”

APF Safety and Training manager Richard McCooey said the initial investigation concluded yesterday.

“While a full investigation and report is being prepared for the information of the Queensland Police, the APF is satisfied that there were no contributing factors with respect to company tandem student equipment or other operational matters that warrant any APF suspension of operations at Skydive Mission Beach,” he said.

Experience Co’s share price was trading at 74c when the stock market closed yesterday afternoon. The price dropped almost 12 per cent the week following the tragedy.