Former Wollongong man Tim Fitzsimmons has died after attempting a "swooping" move during a skydive at Wilton, with friends saying they will "always remember the good times in the sky".
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The 27-year-old, who grew up in the Illawarra before moving to Raby in Sydney's south west, was critically injured after skydiving about 9.30am yesterday.
"He was performing a swooping canopy manoeuvre and collided heavily with the ground," a NSW Police spokesman said.
The move involves diving out of a plane with a canopy parachute and finishing by skimming just above water or the ground at high speed.
Mr Fitzsimmons underwent 12 hours of surgery at Liverpool Hospital, but died before midnight, the spokesman said.
Phil Onis, the chief instructor at Sydney Skydivers, said Mr Fitzsimmons was not "swooping", but was trying to turn his parachute too close to the ground.
"There was just an error of judgment. He turned too close to the ground, he impacted and he had fatal injuries," Mr Onis said.
"It was just a normal jump. We don’t tell anyone skydiving is safe. It’s just like any outdoor adventure activity like surfing, motorbike riding, scuba diving."
His partner Leah Drake this morning wrote of her heartbreak on Facebook.
"My soul mate, my best friend and lover.
"I know you are in a better place now one with only the happiness and peace that rests in your soul.
"I will miss everything about you, your gorgeous face, your infectious laugh, your ability to make anyone smile and the way you loved your friends, family and me.
"My world will be a lonely one without you but I know you will take away my darkness."
Friend Adam Frampton wrote: "R.I.P Tim Fitzsimmons we will always remember the good times in the sky."
According to Mr Fitzsimmons' profile he had gone skydiving in many parts of the world in recent years.
The police spokesman said investigators would go to Wilton today to examine the site of the dive and to speak to any witnesses.
Earlier this year a skydiver who had completed more than 8000 jumps and trained US Navy Seals died after "swooping" in a competition in California.
Sean Carey, 35, slammed into a pond at high speed and died later in hospital.
