Skydiver dies after horrific accident in Queensland: ‘Life already doesn’t feel the same without you’
- Douglas Ball, 52, injured near Mackay
- He was rushed to hospital on April 16
- He passed away from his injuries this week
A skydiving instructor has tragically died after being critically injured during a jump in Central Queensland.
Douglas Ball, 52, was doing a solo dive at Laguna Quays, near Mackay, on April 16 when he crashed into the ground while landing.
He was flown to Mackay Base Hospital about 2.10pm Sunday for urgent treatment in the intensive care unit.
‘Unfortunately, he has had something go wrong close to the ground and he has impacted very heavily there,’ Inspector Andrew Godbold said last week.
‘We understand his chute did deploy, it is just that he has impacted the ground fairly hard.’
Douglas Ball, 52, (pictured) has tragically died a week after being critically injured in a jump near Mackay
Friends have flocked online to pay tribute to Mr Ball, who was an experienced skydiver
He was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on April 17, but died from his injuries six days later.
Mr Ball was an experienced diver and worked as an instructor in several places, including the Gold Coast and Whitsundays.
Tributes have poured in online as the Queensland skydiving community mourns their beloved member’s death.
‘You mean so much to all of us… You will be for never in our heart,’ one friend said.
‘Life already doesn’t feel the same without you.
‘Rip you bloody awesome human being I’m going to miss you.’
The Australian Parachute Federation is investigating the cause of the accident.
Mr Ball was flown to Mackay Base Hospital and placed into the intensive care unit. He was later transported to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital
