Mid-air skydive terror

Kiwi couple survive after chutes tangle

AChristchurch couple have walked away from a horrific Australian skydiving incident now under investigation by authorities. The husband and wife decided to do a maiden parachute jump on Monday while holidaying near the Gold Coast.

But their adrenaline rush took a terrifying turn after they jumped out of the plane. With both Kiwis attached to their instructors, they collided in mid-air, thousands of metres above the ground.

Their parachutes tangled and the couple thought the worst.

Somehow, they managed to avoid resorting to reserve parachutes and crash landing.

However, it’s understood the woman required hospital treatment for serious rope burns, bruises and head cuts that required stitches.

The couple are understood to be traumatised and have not responded to approaches by the Herald.

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority last night said it had not received a report but was seeking information from the Australian Parachute Federation (APF).

Yesterday, a spokesman confirmed the APF was investigating.

“We have been informed of an incident that occurred on Monday,” he said. “The incident involved a collision between two open parachutes. Both parachutes landed safely on target without the need for any emergency parachutes. Further details have not yet been established.”

He added: “APF investigate all incidents so as to continually improve safety outcomes.”

One experienced skydiver told the Herald the couple, and the instructors, would have had a major scare.

“I haven’t had a mid-air collision — touch wood — but the threat is always something you think about,” said the jumper who wanted to re- main anonymous. “They would’ve got quite the fright. Even with reserve chutes as back-ups, this would’ve been terrifying, especially with the lines getting tangled around your neck and stuff.”

In January, two instructors at a Queenstown skydiving company were seriously injured during a tandem training flight. Sasa Jojic and Sasa Ljaskevic, both originally from Serbia, hit the ground at Drift Bay, south of Jacks Pt, at “high speed” and were lucky to escape with their lives.