Skydiver stable after chute collapses

A skydiver is in Waikato Hospital's high-dependency unit after surviving a jump with a collapsed parachute yesterday.

The accident involved a freefall cameraman who was filming at the time of the jump, the Dominion Post reported.

He was understood to have jumped from an altitude of 15,000 feet (4570m) but his chute collapsed about six metres above ground at Taupo airport.

The man, in his 30s, was taken to Taupo Hospital with back and pelvic injuries after the 5.30pm accident.

He was later transferred to Waikato Hospital, where he was in a stable condition in the high-dependency unit, spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said.

Roy Clements, the chief safety officer for several Taupo skydiving companies, told the Dominion Post the skydiver was an experienced jumper.

The man's injuries were not life-threatening, he said.

The reasons for the accident were unclear, but the man had missed the drop zone and landed on a bank.

Mr Clements would not identify the skydiving company involved.

A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman was unaware of the accident but said an investigation would be carried out.

- NZPA