Parachute opened as intended before skydiving death of boxer

The parachute of a man who died after a skydiving accident north-west of Brisbane this week opened as intended during the jump, early information acquired by the sport’s peak body suggests.

Professional boxer Josh Frederiksen, 36, crash-landed on Wednesday at Toogoolawah, about 80 kilometres from the Queensland capital.

Frederiksen suffered significant chest, arm, pelvic and abdominal injuries.

Paramedics were called to the location he landed, off Brisbane Valley Highway, just after midday, and he was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where he later died.

Stephen Porter, the chief executive of the Australian Parachute Federation (APF), said initial information suggested the “parachute operated as intended” during the jump.

“APF is deeply saddened by the death of one of our members following a landing accident,” he said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the skydiving community.

“Skydiving carries inherent risks, and while we work continually to reduce those risks, they cannot be eliminated entirely.”

Porter said Frederiksen was a qualified skydiver with 104 jumps to his name, and it would be premature to speculate on the cause of the accident while investigations were under way.

Online fundraising to support Frederiksen’s family had collected more than $25,000 by 8am on Friday.

“We weren’t ready to lose Josh. We weren’t ready for the goodbyes, for the heartbreak, or for the reality that there are now memories we will never get the chance to make with him,” fund organiser Hannah Alexander said.

“If love alone could have kept him here, Josh would have lived forever.”

A police spokesperson said the death was not suspicious, and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

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