An investigation into a fatal skydiving incident in Mission Beach, Queensland, which claimed the lives of three people, has hit a major setback.
The accident saw Kerri Pike, 50, her tandem dive instructor Peter Dawson and solo jumper Toby Turner plummet to their deaths Friday afternoon.
But while investigators hoped footage recovered from Mr Dawson’s helmet camera could provide answers, the video is believed to cut out seconds before a suspected collision, Nine News reports.
The investigation into a fatal skydiving incident in Mission Beach, Queensland has hit a major setback after footage from a helmet camera was revealed to cut out moments before a suspected mid-air collision
Australian Parachute Foundation’s chief executive Brad Turner said the footage showed the trio exiting the plane, but ceased soon after.
‘It shows them leaving the aircraft and everyone’s having a good time… Then the camera stops,’ he said.
Initial inquiries indicated the three divers experienced a mid-air collision, with their parachutes failing to deploy, Queensland Police said.
However, Mr Turner said that the parachutes had opened, with only the solo jumper’s reserve failing to activate.
He revealed that the victims may have been rendered unconscious following a mid-air hit.
‘Their (Mrs Pike and Mr Dawson’s) parachutes slid open, so they would’ve landed normally if they were conscious to steer… we don’t believe they were after the collision.’
Australian Parachute Foundation’s chief executive Brad Turner said the footage showed the trio (including Mrs Pike pictured) exiting the plane, but ceased soon after
Initial inquiries indicated the three divers, including tandem-jumper Mr Dawson (pictured), experienced a mid-air collision with their parachutes failing to deploy
However, investigators said that the parachutes had opened, with only Mr Turner (pictured) – the solo jumper’s – reserve failing to activate
Logs from the divers ‘automatic activation devices’, which are used to deploy reserve chutes if the user is unable, are expected to be sent to Europe for analysis.
The tragedy unfolded when emergency services were called to the scene on Alexander Drive around 3.15pm.
It is understood the bodies of Mrs Pike and Mr Dawson were found tangled in a tree on a banana farm, while Mr Turner’s body was located in the garden of a nearby house.
Skydive Australia release a statement following the deaths, suspending operations at Mission Beach while authorities conducted an extensive investigation.
They also extended their ‘deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the individuals and families involved and the broader skydiving community’.
It is understood the skydivers may have been rendered unconscious, with investigators saying Mrs Pike (pictured with her husband Alister) and Mr Dawson’s ‘parachutes slid open, so they would’ve landed normally if they were conscious to steer’
Skydive Australia (with representatives pictured talking to police) suspended operations at Mission Beach while authorities conducted an extensive investigation
It comes as Mrs Pike’s devastated husband Alister expressed his grief at losing the ‘love of his life’ in a touching Facebook post.
‘I lost the love of my life yesterday. Please give me some time to gather my thoughts. We will be out scaring those fish soon,’ Mr Pike wrote.
He also shared an image of the mother, with hundreds of people taking to the comments section to offer heartfelt condolences.
‘So sorry for you and the kids Alister. Take care and know that all of us in Mission Beach are in mourning with you,’ one touching comment read.
Another stated: ‘I just can’t wrap my head around this awful tragedy. We are all thinking of you and the kids and sending our deepest condolences… The whole community is behind you.’
The experience had been a 50th birthday present from Mrs Pike’s family, with six of her eight children said to have watched the tragic event occur, according to Nine News.
It comes as Mrs Pike’s (pictured) devastated husband Alister expressed his grief at losing the ‘love of his life’ in a touching Facebook post and photo of the mother-of-eight
He wrote that she was ‘the love of my life’ and that he needed time to ‘gather my thoughts’ after the tremendous loss
Meanwhile, Mr Dawson’s brother Rob spoke with Daily Mail Australia on Saturday, recalling his siblings passion for heights.
‘L’appel du Vide. It means ‘call of the void’,’ he said.
Peter Dawson (pictured) loved jumping – his brother Rob explained in a heartbreaking tribute following the skydiver’s death
‘It’s where you’re standing at the edge of a cliff and feel the urge to jump… Well, Pete always jumped.’
Mr Dawson had been an experienced skydiver with a huge passion for the sport, successfully completing the jump over Mission Beach hundreds of times.
Known as ‘Daws’ to his mates, the ‘cheeky’ instructor also loved fishing and other adventure sports like rock climbing and boating.
Many in the small Queensland community knew both the instructors, as well as Ms Pike, whose husband Alister is a former Cassowary Coast Councillor.
On Friday night, friends of the three – including tearful members of Skydive Australia’s staff – grieved the loss at a beachside bar.
‘We’re all shattered… Most of us have known all three of them for years,’ one person told the Courier Mail.
Mission Beach, located between Cairns and Townsville, is a regular skydiving spot for tourists, with the incident the worst in the industry for the last 40 years.
Many in the small community of Mission Beach knew Mr Dawson (pictured), Mr Turner and Mrs Pike, with one person stating the town was ‘shattered’
Mr Turner (pictured) loved base jumping and diving and had completed thousands of falls previously
On Friday night, friends of the three killed (with Mrs Pike pictured) grieved the loss at a beachside bar