Skydiver breaks arms in crash

An experienced skydiver is in the intensive care unit at Dunedin Hospital with multiple injuries after crash landing near Queenstown during a solo jump on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Queenstown man was working as a freefall cameraman for NZONE Skydive when the incident occurred at Jack’s Point about 1pm.

Senior Sergeant Paula Enoka, of Queenstown, said the man suffered several injuries and was taken to the Queenstown Lakes Hospital before being airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.

NZONE Skydive business development manager Derek Melnick said the skydiver’s gear malfunctioned when he went to open his parachute but he appeared to gain control and go into ordinary flight.

However, in the last 182m of the jump, during landing preparations, his parachute became unstable.

He entered into a spin and was unable to completely bring his canopy back under control, causing him to impact the ground at speed, Melnick said.

The CAA is investigating.