Skydivers landing in lake sparks probe

Matthew Martin matthew.martin@dailypost.co.nz | 20th November 2008

Parachuting industry officials are investigating an incident in which two groups of tandem skydivers and a cameraman ended up in Lake Rotorua.

A rescuer who went to the cameraman's aid thought he was pulling out a dead man.

The cameraman was taken to hospital and the incident has already resulted in changes to skydiving safety measures in Rotorua.

The skydivers and the cameraman working for local skydiving company Nzone, ended up in the lake after being blown off course.

The incident happened on October 26 but is now under investigation by officials from the New Zealand Parachute Industry Association.

Both sets of tandem skydivers landed safely in shallow water near Rotorua Airport but the cameraman ended up about 500m from shore, opposite Cedarwood Lakeside Holiday Resort.

Gus Wilson from Hawke's Bay and a relation were on a pleasure trip when they were alerted by people at Cedarwood Resort that a skydiver had landed in the water on Sunday October 26.

"The adrenalin was really pumping, we thought we were going to be pulling a dead man out of the lake," Mr Wilson told The Daily Post.

"He was quite lucky we were there, otherwise he was a gone-burger I reckon."

Nzone general manager Robynne Williams said it was the first time anyone had landed in the lake since tandem skydiving came to Rotorua 16 years ago.

"Staff immediately went into emergency mode and activated the procedures."

He said a change in wind conditions caused the group to be blown off course.

"As per company policy, emergency procedures were immediately instigated and the coastguard, rescue helicopter and Kawarau Jet were notified someone was in the water."

The cameraman, an experienced parachutist with about 500 jumps under his belt, was taken to Rotorua Hospital for a check-up and released soon after.

Mrs Williams said Nzone had already conducted an investigation into the incident and has since made lifejackets mandatory for all skydiving staff. Previously, lifejackets were mandatory only for tandem skydivers and those unable to swim.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson of the Rotorua police said he was aware of the incident and understood all necessary action had been taken.