Solo Jumper Apparently Collided With A Tandem Pair

A skydiving accident at Mission Beach near Cairns in northern Queensland, Australia has resulted in the fatal injury of three skydivers, according to media reports.

A solo skydiver impacted two people executing a tandem jump, according to a report from the U.K. newspaper The Telegraph. One of the jumpers impacted the ground in the front garden of a house, while the tandem jumpers were found tangled in a tree on a nearby banana farm.

The solo jumper and the skydiving instructor involved in the tandem jump were both very experienced skydivers, according to the report. The third victim was a 50-year-old woman customer. Local media has identified her as Kerri Pike, the mother of eight children.

Witnesses who saw the accident said that one of the chutes was tangled and not deploying properly. The collision likely caused both parachutes to malfunction, according to local police.

The jump was operated by Skydive Australia, which suspended all operations at Mission Beach while an investigation is conducted.

(Image from file. Not accident skydivers)

FMI: Original Report