Basejumper.com - archive

There was a fatality at ITW this morning, as the family still hasn't been contacted I will not post the jumpers name.

I was not present but was informed by the local fire brigade that it was a wingsuit jump, low deployment.

http://www.gazzettadelsud.it/...ident-in-Trento.html

"Trento, September 10 – A 20-year old New Zealander lost his life in the northern Italian region of Trentino Alto Adige...

...The jumper was part of a group of about 10 enthusiasts gathered there from the four corners of the earth that would jump each day from the same location.

The deadly accident was seen by people passing by who immediately called the local authorities. Forest guards were the first to determine the man was dead and then organized for the body to be taken away by helicopter.

The man had jumped from a local peak called the Eagle’s Beak and was avoiding the jutting mountain wall during his plummet to earth. Some three quarters of the way down, he sought to open his parachute and hit the rock face violently. At that time, he was probably travelling at a speed of about 200 kilometres an hour. The overall fall from the mountain ridge was about 1,100 meters.

The mountain peak is located about halfway between Trento and Riva del Garda. Some 10 people have lost their lives in similar activities in the past 10 years."

BSBD

From my own district:


http://www.stuff.co.nz/...g-what-he-loved-most

Quote from the link above:

The Kiwi base jumper who died in Italy "lived on the edge his whole life", his mother says.

George Allan Staite, 28, lost his life yesterday when he and a group were base jumping off Eagle's Beak, in the Italian region of Trentino Alto Adige.

On his fatal fall, he had tried to launch his parachute about three quarters into the 1100 metre fall, but it failed to open, English news site La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno reported.

His mother, Nancy Davis, of Nelson, and 20-year-old brother Julian were flying to Italy tomorrow, where they would be joined by his sister, 24-year-old Catherine, who was already in the Mediterranean area.

Davis said news of Staite’s death had come as ‘‘a massive shock’’ to the family, ‘‘but George knew the risks of what he was doing’’.

‘‘He’s just lived on the edge his whole life.’’

His step-brother, Motueka real estate agent Paul Davis, said Staite was a free spirit who ‘‘just loved’’ skydiving and base jumping, which he had taken up several years ago.

A geologist, he had gone to Europe in February after a stint working for a mining company in Western Australia.

Friend Marco Regina said Staite had been in the area since February or March, living in his van and jumping every day.

Regina described his friend as his "kiwi brother" who "left this world doing what he loved most".

He was "an amazing person, always smiling, super relaxed and super slow while talking... just one of the coolest friend I met," Regina said.

"I already miss you so much buddy... but I'm sure that we'll meet again one day... and thanks for waiting for me between the trees after my first WS BASE," he wrote on Facebook as a tribute to his mate.

"GOOD BYE my kiwi brother, I love you, fly free."

 
From the local fire brigade, after reviewing the camera footage:

"George exited ITW for a solo WS flight, he flew jumpers left along the wall before turning right to perform a 'flyby' on the scree slope.

A friend with photo & video cameras was positioned on the edge of the scree slope above the zebra wall and George intended to pass him close to the ground.

George miscalculated his approach and found himself low, unable to outfly the terrain. He threw his pilot chute but the canopy did not reach line stretch. "

George had become a local at ITW this season, cruising about in his camper, making friends with his softly spoken "Italiano".

Thoughts to his friends and family.

Fly free George

RIP. That is a truly sad way to go. For the sake of footage, this guy will never jump again. My opinion: most people dying in this sport die in wingsuits, many of those gone would be alive if they jumped without a camera. Not blaming anyone, just stating my opinion.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Kerkko
BASE1184

 
Having spectators has been proven in the skydiving world to increase the risk of fatalities, e.g. demo jumps / showing off / etc.

It is a well known phenon. Flying for friends, family or photos greatly increases the chances of an incident. It is not restricted to skyfallers.
Take care,
space

In paragliding it's called the "kodak effect"....

Well shit. Hate to hear it again. BSBD

Always sad to hear. Condolonces to his family & friends. BSBD