The Tragic Death of a Skydiver in Auckland
It was a beautiful day in Auckland, New Zealand when experienced skydiver John Creane, also known as Jack, took to the skies for his 261st jump. But what should have been a routine solo landing turned into a tragedy that shocked the skydiving community.
On March 16, 2019, Jack died after a skydiving accident at Parakai in north Auckland. An investigation into the incident revealed that poor flight planning and decision-making may have been the cause of his death.
At the time of the accident, Jack was a 27-year-old student from Ireland who had been in New Zealand on a student visa. He was considered a knowledgeable and competent skydiver, having completed over 260 jumps.
The operations manager for Skydive Auckland, where Jack had been skydiving, stated that she saw him hit the ground with his legs and then his head. Despite calling an ambulance, Jack later died in the hospital from his injuries.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Jack may have attempted an advanced manoeuvre for his skill level in less than ideal conditions. The New Zealand Parachute Industry Association also noted that he was distracted by obstacles on the ground, which may have delayed his reaction time.
The Civil Aviation Authority also found that Jack did not flare his parachute to slow down for landing and did not go into the emergency landing position. It was unclear why he decided to carry out high-energy manoeuvres late in his jump and why he did not flare his parachute before hitting the ground.
Coroner Debra Bell concluded that Jack’s death was a result of attempting an advanced manoeuvre in less than ideal conditions and being distracted by obstacles on the ground. While no recommendations were made, Skydive Auckland and the New Zealand Skydiving School decided to undertake a peer review of their course content surrounding flight planning and decision-making.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
As the owner of Kosport Magazine, I urge all skydiving companies to regularly review and update their safety protocols to prevent tragedies like this from happening again. Skydiving is an exhilarating and thrilling sport, but it also comes with risks that must be taken seriously.
Our thoughts go out to Jack’s family and friends during this difficult time. We hope that this tragedy serves as a reminder to always prioritize safety and proper planning in all aspects of skydiving.
Rest in peace, Jack.
Source:
This article originally appeared in Stuff and has been republished with permission.
