A tragic accident occurred during a skydiving practice in Näsinge, Sweden, resulting in the deaths of two participants. The incident happened as a team was preparing for the Swedish Championships in ten-person skydiving. Despite immediate rescue efforts, the two individuals could not be saved, leaving the skydiving community in shock and mourning.
Tragic Skydiving Accident in Näsinge Claims Two Lives
Tragic Skydiving Accident in Näsinge Claims Two Lives
They were practicing for the Swedish Championships in ten-person skydiving when two teammates collided mid-air. Neither survived. Henrik Bjerkeryd and Jonas Ulfwi jumped from the same plane.
"I immediately knew something was wrong," says Henrik Bjerkeryd.
On the large grassy field in Näsinge, several propeller planes gleam under the strong August sun.
At the clubhouse, caravans, motorhomes, and tents are set up. Over the summer, a large group of skydiving enthusiasts has camped here. Between jumps, they socialize, enjoy hot tubs, and share a beer.
For the past week, ten of them have been here as a team, practicing for the Swedish Championships in ten-person skydiving.
Saturday was the last day. Shortly after noon, they went up for the final jump of the training week.
Henrik Bjerkeryd, 36, was one of the ten who jumped from the plane.
"The jump went very well, and after we completed our formation and I exited my parachute, I saw two parachutes flying in a way you don't usually see. One of them was spinning, so I realized they had collided," says Henrik.
"Knew Something Was Wrong"
He explains that they flew towards a wooded area, and several team members tried to follow to land nearby and assist. Henrik himself landed on the airfield a bit away to call emergency services and gather more people at the accident site.
"I immediately knew something was very wrong. In our sport, we always assume the worst – now we have to save someone's life. In this case, it was two friends, and you go even further to try to save them."
Major Rescue Operation
A major rescue operation with helicopters and ambulances was dispatched to the forest where the two individuals had landed.
Despite it being clear that things had gone very wrong, Henrik and the others worked on life-saving efforts for several hours.
"The only focus was to try to save their lives. There's always hope that things can turn around."
Fond Memories
But eventually, medical personnel confirmed that both had died. Even though Henrik was aware of the seriousness of the situation, it was only after the death announcement that emotions hit him.
"We gathered relatives and members here, and then the emotions overwhelmed me."
What did you feel then?
"I felt sorrow. These are two people I have very fond memories with, and I've always had a great time with. I feel like, 'Damn, we had so much left to do.' I will miss them, I will miss them very much."
After what happened, will you continue skydiving?
"My mom asked me the same question. And the answer is always the same – of course, I will continue. They would have wanted that. This is what we love the most."
"Deeply Shocked"
Jonas Ulfwi, 62, was also on the plane. He works as an instructor for tandem jumps and jumped from the plane with a customer a few seconds before the ten-person team.
"We were sitting closest to the door and therefore jumped first."
He is experienced and estimates he has jumped several thousand times before. Saturday's jump went as usual, and he didn't notice anything unusual while in the air.
"If I had known, I would have looked in that direction. But you're so focused on landing safely and correctly."
It was only on the ground that he heard from the plane's pilot that something had happened.
"I became worried, of course. But I didn't think the worst had happened."
After several hours, the news came that both individuals had died.
"I was deeply shocked. It's a huge loss. They were two wonderful people with a lot of charisma. This is unreal."