Skydiver injured after parachute failure

Paramedics, police and NZONE Skydive staff at the scene of the accident near Jack's Point yesterday. Photo: Blair Pattinson

An experienced skydiver sustained multiple injuries in Queenstown yesterday after his parachute malfunctioned.

The man, a freefall cameraman employed by NZONE Skydive, was injured at around 1pm yesterday, when he had a gear malfunction during the opening of his parachute.

Although he had appeared to bring the parachute under control and into ordinary flight, during the last 600ft it became unstable and entered a spin.

"The cameraman was unable to completely bring his canopy back under control to follow a standard landing procedure causing him to impact the ground at speed," NZONE business development manager Derek Melnick said in a statement.

"He sustained multiple injuries from the accident and as per company policy, emergency procedures were immediately instigated, with the skydiver having being taken to hospital to assess the extent of the injuries."

The cameraman had completed approximately 12,000 jumps and was well respected in the industry, Mr Melnick said.

A report has been filed with the Safety Director of the New Zealand Parachute Industry Association and the Civil Aviation Authority.