Mount Cook in snow. Photo: Unwin Lodge, Mt Cook
A skydiving accident near Aoraki Mount Cook that left a cameraman critically injured is being investigated.
An ambulance and a helicopter responded to the accident at Skydive Mt Cook in Pukaki on Tuesday evening, and the person was flown to Christchurch Hospital.
A spokesperson for the skydiving company said the team member was doing a routine jump as a camera flyer, and was not in tandem with any customers or passengers.
"We have been informed of an incident that happened with one of our camera flyers Tuesday evening at Skydive Mt Cook. We are cooperating with local authorities who were immediately notified and are investigating the situation further. We are currently in communications with the affected team members' family," they said.
Skydive Mt Cook's website says they have specially trained photographers that film people who jump from the plane.
It says the photographers hang outside of the plane waiting for people to jump, and then control their movements to join up with the jumper and film the best perspectives.
The Civil Aviation Authority has opened an investigation into the accident and was sending two safety investigators to Twizel.
It said they would meet with the operator, complete a site examination, interview witnesses and meet with first responders.
A St John spokesperson said emergency services were called to the scene at Swallow Drive at about 6pm on Tuesday 17 October.
"One ambulance, one helicopter, one PRIME (Primary Response In Medical Emergencies) doctor and one operations manager responded to the scene. Our ambulance officers treated one patient in a critical condition before they were airlifted to Christchurch Hospital," they said.
Police said they were making inquires after being made aware of a man in critical condition at Christchurch Hospital.
