A champion skydiver has died in hospital a day after an horrific mid-air accident claimed the life of his jump partner in northern NSW.
Michael Vaughan, aged in his 40s, was left with critical injuries after his parachute became tangled with that of Alana Clarke, 29, during a dive from 4000 feet on Friday afternoon.
The pair plummeted to the ground, with Ms Clarke dying at the scene.
Mr Vaughan was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries.
But the renowned instructor and veteran of about 11,000 jumps died from his injuries on Saturday night, police said.
Friends said on Facebook Mr Vaughan would be sorely missed.
"You lived life to the fullest," Benjamin Sewell said.
"Thank you for your knowledge you so freely gave," said John Rynbout.
Investigators from the Australian Parachute Foundation (APF) believe Mr Vaughan and Ms Clarke collided during a dive that required them to fly close together.
The trouble appears to have started below 3000 feet after the parachutes opened, they said.
APF safety and training manager Richard McCooey says there is usually a procedure to use a reserve parachute in the event of a mid-air tangle.
Investigations will focus on why that option wasn't used.
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