Thursday, September 26, 2024 - A British special forces soldier has been killed in a parachuting accident in South Africa.
Staff Sergeant Chris Good was representing Great Britain at
the 10th World Canopy Piloting Championships in Pretoria when he tragically
lost his life on Wednesday, September 25.
The 52-year-old had completed a total of 5,500 jumps during
his career, after joining the Parachute Regiment aged 17.
He had been part of the Army's elite Red Devils parachute
display team before joining the SAS in 2004, serving
in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is unclear how Sgt Good lost his life, though the SAS
confirmed he died during the contest, which sees competitors go head to head in
speed, freestyle, and distance categories.
He revealed last month that he had started using a new
harness which was designed to allow him to travel further and faster.
In a video shared by British Skydiving, the sport's
governing body, ahead of the championships, Sgt Good said he had been competing
in canopy piloting for 10 years.
'The challenge for this year, I have moved on to a new
harness for distance and speed,' he said.
'It's the first chance I have had to put this over the
water. It's just learning how that changes everything that we have been doing
for the last eight, nine years in a conventional harness.'
Sharing news of his death, British Skydiving described him
as a 'cherished member of the team and an exceptionally skilled skydiver' whose
loss 'will be deeply felt within our sport'.
Skydive Netheravon, the base of the Army's parachute
association, said in a statement: 'It is with deep sadness we mourn the loss of
instructor and friend Chris Good.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at
this difficult time.
A letter from the SAS Association to members shared news of
Sgt Good's passing.
'We are sad to report the death of Christopher (Chris) Good
on 25th September 2024 whilst participating in the World Canopy Piloting
Championships in Pretoria,' it read.
'He came to 22 SAS from 3 Para, passing SAS selection in
2004. He Served in 2 Troops A Squadron and also with E Squadron (22 SAS).'
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