Queensland skydiver in coma with life-threatening head injuries after mid-air collision

A man has been left in a coma after suffering life-threatening head injuries during a mid-air skydiving accident.

The 37-year-old Brisbane man was part of a group performing an angle jump, a type of free-flying skydive, when he collided with another man at about 9.30am on Sunday in Toogoolawah, two hours’ west of Brisbane.

“It is too early to understand what caused the collision, but we do know that the man’s automatic activation device opened his reserve parachute and allowed him to land in a paddock next to the Toogoolawah Showground,” Australian Parachute Federation (APF) CEO Stephen Porter said.

The experienced skydiver, who had successfully completed more than 300 jumps, was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital with life-threatening head injuries, where he remains in an induced coma.

A second skydiver, in his late 30s, provided first aid to the injured man after the collision and was taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital where he was treated for leg injuries.

Porter said an investigator would travel to the drop zone to begin a comprehensive investigation and understand what led to the incident.

“Our thoughts are with the injured men and their families, as well as the broader skydiving community. APF will work alongside Queensland Police as part of their investigation. In addition, we will conduct our own investigation, as we do with all serious parachute incidents, to improve safety measures for the future,” he said.

Skydive Ramblers owner Dave McEvoy explained the two men were part of a group of four skydivers when they collided as the group was breaking apart.

“Angles flying is a high-speed discipline in skydiving that is growing in popularity around the world. It involves angling the body so that the skydivers are free-falling headfirst.

“We are incredibly grateful to the first responders and emergency services personnel who provided first aid care and arranged for him to be airlifted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital,” he said.

The APF administers and regulates sport skydiving in Australia under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which has been approached for comment.