An investigation has begun into how a skydiving jump near Queenstown went badly wrong, seriously injuring two people.
Emergency services were called to the scene at Drift Bay this morning.
Queenstown-based NZONE Skydive said the crash happened about 7.45am in the final stages of a staff tandem training jump as they came in to land, performing a low turn at slow speed.
Weather conditions were clear and calm at the time, it said.
The two staff members were taken by ambulance to the Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown and flown by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital for further assessment and treatment, the company said.
A St John spokesman said both skydivers had suffered serious injuries, but could not give further details. Police said their conditions were serious but stable.
NZONE Skydive business development manager Derek Melnick told the Otago Daily Times the pair were doing a trandem training jump and had a "harder landing than normal".
"It was not an equipment thing and not a conditions thing, Mr Melnick said.
"We are currently doing a thorough investigation of how it happened. We are reviewing videotape.''
General manager Clark Scott said the company was fully supporting the injured staff members, as well as family, friends and other staff.
“Our immediate concerns are obviously for the wellbeing of the staff involved, and we are not in a position to comment further on their injuries or speculate as to what may have happened.”
The company had ceased operations for the day out of respect for the employees, but would reopen on Sunday.
NZONE Skydive was working closely with all relevant authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority, the Parachute Association and the wider industry.
The CAA said police have the parachute, which may provide "vital clues" for investigators, but it was too early to say what caused the accident.
Worksafe NZ was also investigating, police said.
- additional reporting by Tim Brown
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