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Champion Australian skydiver Michael Vaughan dies a day after mid-air tangle | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A champion skydiver has died in hospital a day after an horrific mid-air accident claimed the life of his jump partner in northern NSW. | A champion skydiver has died in hospital a day after an horrific mid-air accident claimed the life of his jump partner in northern NSW. |
Michael Vaughan, aged in his 40s, was left with critical injuries after his parachute became tangled with that of Alana Clarke, 29, during a dive from 1,200m on Friday afternoon near Byron Bay. | Michael Vaughan, aged in his 40s, was left with critical injuries after his parachute became tangled with that of Alana Clarke, 29, during a dive from 1,200m on Friday afternoon near Byron Bay. |
The pair plummeted to the ground, with Clarke dying at the scene. | The pair plummeted to the ground, with Clarke dying at the scene. |
Vaughan was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he underwent surgery for multiple injuries. | Vaughan was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he underwent surgery for multiple injuries. |
But the renowned instructor and veteran of about 11,000 jumps died from his injuries on Saturday night, police said. | But the renowned instructor and veteran of about 11,000 jumps died from his injuries on Saturday night, police said. |
Friends said on Facebook Vaughan would be sorely missed. | Friends said on Facebook Vaughan would be sorely missed. |
“You shall be remembered as a man with great talent, passion, patience and as someone who never stopped giving in this sport of ours,” wrote Rebecca Freescott. | “You shall be remembered as a man with great talent, passion, patience and as someone who never stopped giving in this sport of ours,” wrote Rebecca Freescott. |
“You lived life to the fullest,” Benjamin Sewell said. | “You lived life to the fullest,” Benjamin Sewell said. |
Many others wrote dedications using the sport’s parlance: “Fly free.” | Many others wrote dedications using the sport’s parlance: “Fly free.” |
Investigators from the Australian Parachute Foundation (APF) believe Vaughan and Clarke collided during a dive that required them to fly close together. | Investigators from the Australian Parachute Foundation (APF) believe Vaughan and Clarke collided during a dive that required them to fly close together. |
The trouble appears to have started below 1,000m feet after the parachutes opened, they said. | The trouble appears to have started below 1,000m feet after the parachutes opened, they said. |
APF safety and training manager Richard McCooey said there was usually a procedure to use a reserve parachute in the event of a mid-air tangle. Investigations would focus on why that option was not used. | APF safety and training manager Richard McCooey said there was usually a procedure to use a reserve parachute in the event of a mid-air tangle. Investigations would focus on why that option was not used. |
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