A man has died while parachuting in Motueka, near Nelson.
The 69-year-old Richmond man was taking part in a solo skydiving course and the incident happened on his second jump.
Halfway through the freefall two instructors with the man realised there was a problem. One of them released his main parachute, slowing down the fall.
He hit the roof of an industrial building and those first on the scene say they knew straight away there was no sign of life.
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Police say there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the parachute equipment. It is beleived the man had a heart attack.
The death has been reported to the coroner and will also be investigated by the Parachute Association.
