Overview
- The collision, which occurred Monday evening at Jervis Bay Airfield, left Warrant Officer Lachlan Muddle dead and the second paratrooper with minor injuries.
- The Defence Force paused all parachute operations nationwide and opened an initial investigation, with Special Operations Commander Major General Garth Gould briefing media.
- The jump was part of an advanced free‑fall course run in low light using night‑vision goggles, and both parachutes had deployed before the men collided and fell.
- Muddle, 50, was a veteran Special Air Service soldier with multiple deployments including Afghanistan, and national leaders offered condolences and support to his family.
- This is the first parachute training death since March 2024, when Jack Fitzgibbon died, and Defence signalled further inquiries before training resumes.