A 30-year-old skydiver from Mossy Point fell to his death at Moruya Airport yesterday afternoon after his main and reserve parachutes reportedly became entangled.
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The man was skydiving solo at around 4.10pm and it is believed that his reserve parachute was accidentally opened, and became entangled with the main parachute.
He landed heavily south east of the Moruya Aero Club building. Ambulance and police crews were quickly on the scene and tried to revive him but he died at the scene.
It is believed that the victim was an experienced skydiver, but his name has not yet been released.
Fairfax Media can reveal the highly trained crew of the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, based just 300 metres from the accident site, were not called on for help before the arrival of paramedics.
The rescue service, equipped with defibrillators, oxygen support, and pain relief drugs, say they are frustrated and upset that no one alerted them.
Chief Executive Officer Stephen Leahy said the crew did not find out about the death until a police media release was issued about 6pm.
“We certainly had the ability to do everything possible to attempt to save that guy before the ambulance arrived,” Mr Leahy said.
“We could have run over with our kits, we've got defibrillators, we've got oxygen equipment, we've got all the resuscitation equipment, if he had broken bones and he was conscious, we have the ability to administer pain relief drugs.”
A spokeswoman for the skydiving club said members were all “shocked” at the death. Police are investigating and will prepare a report for the NSW Coroner.
The Australian Parachute Federation is also looking into the death, and has assigned a safety officer to the investigation.
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