Skydiver, 46, dies after crash landing

New Zealand - A 46-year-old skydiver died yesterday afternoon after crashing while completing a manoeuvre close to landing at an airfield near Hastings. The name of the man was not available, but he was understood to be one of a small visiting group.

The crash happened towards the eastern end of the Bridge Pa Aerodrome runway, 10km west of Hastings.

St John Ambulance operations manager Barry Howell said two crews went to the airfield just before midday and treated the man briefly, but he died soon afterwards.

Hastings police Acting Senior Sergeant Greg Brown said early investigations indicated the man's parachute had opened properly and was operating normally.

But the skydiver accelerated close to the ground and made a heavy landing, possibly as the result of an error.

Police took statements from witnesses and were trying to contact the man's next of kin.

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