Parachutist dies on first jump

Press, 24 July 1986, Page 31

Parachutist dies on first jump

PA Dunedin An Englishman making his first parachute jump died when the chute malfunctioned above Dunedin airport at Momona, the Coroner’s Court in Dunedin was told. The Coroner, Mr Jim Conradson, was holding an inquest into the death of John Stuart Brayshaw, aged 25. Mr Brayshaw died on March 29 when his reserve parachute became entangled in his main chute, which did not open normally as he left the aircraft, the Coroner said.

Death was found to be accidental.

Michael David Chapman, an accountant, said he was an instructor for the Caroline Skydiving Club in Dunedin and was drop zone safety officer at Dunedin airport on the day of the accident At 4.15 pm, Mr

Brayshaw made a normal exit from the aircraft about 1066 metres. The streamer of the reserve chute functioned, but then became entangled in the main chute. It took 15 seconds from when Mr Brayshaw jumped until he hit the ground. Mr Chapman said he ran to Mr Brayshaw, who was still breathing, but he died soon after. Mr Brayshaw was a civil engineer, and had been in New Zealand for six weeks. David Edward Davies, a boiler maker of Queenstown, said he was jumpmaster that day and three students were making their first jump. Mr Brayshaw’s gear was checked before he entered the aircraft and students were shown what they were to do when they left the aircraft. Mr Brayshaw was the third to jump, and his exit was perfectly stable.