Skydiving death Jervis Bay, NSW: New details emerge
A skydiving company has spoken out after a father of six tragically died, confirming his parachute opened correctly.
Roger Goltz, an IT technician from Jervis Bay, on the New South Wales south coast, died last weekend. He is survived by his wife Kelly and their six children, aged 14 to 25.
Mr. Goltz was an experienced parachutist and had made about 80 jumps before the accident on Saturday.
Although his parachute opened perfectly, it appears that Mr. Goltz turned too low and too fast due to the wind, causing him to land at the wrong angle.
Mr. Goltz suffered a catastrophic brain injury on impact and was put on life support at the scene before being taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“Roger and my 18-year-old son Kai had gone skydiving as they always do. Kai saw his dad go down but didn’t realise it was him until he saw his shoe,” Ms Goltz told Daily Mail Australia.
Mrs. Goltz, who has four of her six children still living at home, worries she won’t be able to keep her home because skydiving isn’t covered by her life insurance.
Skydive Oz in Moruya confirmed that Rogers parachute opened and functioned as it should.
Roger Goltz, who lives in Jervis Bay on the New South Wales south coast, died last weekend, leaving behind his wife and six children
Mr Goltz is an experienced parachutist and had made about 80 jumps, many with his teenage son, before the accident on Saturday
Chief Instructor Paul Smith, who was at the drop zone when the incident occurred, said safety is always his top priority.
“At Skydive Oz we are committed to making it as safe as possible for all of our members, regardless of their experience level. The tight-knit skydiving community is devastated that this could happen,” he said in a statement.
“We are extremely grateful to the first responders and emergency services staff who provided him with first aid and arranged his helicopter flight to Canberra.”
Australian Parachute Federation CEO Stephen Porter said an investigation into the incident has been launched.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and everyone involved in this tragic moment,” he said.
‘A training officer arrived on scene at Moruya Heads on Saturday evening to commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.’
A GoFundMe A page has been set up to support his family, who say they have left an “irreplaceable void in our hearts”.
“Roger was always looking for the next adventure and loved his children, I think he was one of them,” said Mrs. Goltz.
‘The children are devastated and are wondering if he was in pain or scared, what it means for the two girls and who will walk them down the aisle?
They just lost their best friend.
“You just had to imagine it and he made it happen.”
Ms Goltz said a fellow parachutist with 40 years’ experience had said he had seen similar missteps in the air but that there had never been a fatal accident.
A GoFundMe has been set up to support his family, who say they have left an “irreplaceable void in our hearts.”
He had a very close bond with his six children
Mr. Goltz (far right) had made several skydive jumps with his teenage son Kai
She is now waiting for the coroner’s report to try to understand what went wrong.
The family is supported by the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Goltz
“Roger loved life and his family,” Mrs. Goltz said.
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Goltz next Thursday.
