Fatality Norway 13.6.11
FYI from good friend and house mate who was doing ground crew... Ted Rudd passed away after a base jump from Hårstanebba, Norway, earlier today. He was doing a solo tracking jump from the cliff near where we live. There was a cloud at exit so I drove to the landing area to give him an update before he jumped. I told him he would be in cloud for a few seconds. He said he was comfortable and would exit in 3-4 minutes. I was waiting watching the wall. About 7-8 mins later his canopy caught my eye my lower and closer to the wall than I expected. It was flying from right to left and I only got to see if for approx 3 seconds before it disappeared out of sight behind a wall. The canopy appeared to be inflated and flying but no attempt was made to turn it. He was nearly behind trees from where I was standing and the Jade color of his canopy left me wondering if I was 100% certain what I saw. He was a long way from the cloud which was only at the exit. It looked like he went into a gorge out of sight about 300m up and only accessible by helicopter. I drove up and down the road trying to see if I could spot him or his canopy hoping he would call from the exit or to say he landed somewhere else. 20mins after he said he would jump soon I called 112.
Both Teds Legs were severely broken and he sustained head injuries. His closing loops were not broken suggesting he opened his own canopy but his brakes were both stowed suggesting no attempt to steer the canopy.
Fly Hard Brother as you always did. please smoke a joint and drink a beer for my brother Ted :(
