Solo skydiver filmed own fatal plunge

By Michelle Hoctor
Updated November 5 2012 - 8:25pm, first published April 17 2009 - 11:01am
Ariel Sicsic
Ariel Sicsic

Wollongong skydiver Ariel Sicsic filmed his own fatal fall with a camera attached to his helmet.The footage has been viewed by police and a safety officer of the Australian Parachute Federation who yesterday concluded there was nothing suspicious about the accident."He turned too fast because he realised he was coming too close to the road and power lines," Wollongong Inspector Mark Lavers said.

  • Skydiver's death the first in Wollongong Mr Sicsic, 33, an experienced skydiver, was undertaking a solo jump on Wednesday afternoon when he misjudged his landing and plummeted to the ground at Kemps Reserve, Towradgi, narrowly missing overhead wires and a multi-storey construction site.He was rushed to Wollongong Hospital suffering a severely fractured pelvis, collapsed lung and other internal injuries, but died seven hours later.Mr Sicsic was of Israeli origin, from Mevasseret Tzion, and had lived in Wollongong for two years with a partner.He worked as a general duties assistant for skydiving outfit, Skydive the Beach.Skydive The Beach chief instructor Alan Moss said Mr Sicsic was an experienced diver who had made about 600 jumps with the business, 250 at the same site."We are devastated by the loss of a good friend in such a rare accident," he said.Insp Lavers said Mr Sicsic's family lived in France and Israel and both the French and Israeli consulates had informed them of his death.The family is due to arrive in Australia this weekend.
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