Australian soldier Lachlan Muddle killed after colliding midair with ...
The two soldiers collided midair just after their parachutes opened.
7news.com.auDirect answer: Lachlan Muddle, a SAS veteran in Australia, died in a mid-air parachute training accident at Jervis Bay on May 11, 2026. Defence suspended all parachuting training as investigations proceed. He had a long service history with the SAS and was widely mourned across the Defence community.
Key details
- Incident: Parachute training collision at Jervis Bay Airfield, NSW, Australia.
- Date: May 11, 2026.
- Status: Death of Warrant Officer Class Two Lachlan Muddle; one other paratrooper injured.
- Aftermath: Australian Defence Force paused all parachute operations while inquiries are conducted; investigations ongoing.
- Reactions: Statements of condolences from Defence and veterans groups; safety measures under review.
Context and quick references
- The Australian Defence Force and multiple Australian news outlets reported the death and the subsequent pause in parachuting training. These reports identify Muddle as a 19-year SAS veteran and indicate both paratroopers were highly experienced.[2][3][4]
- Official Defence communications confirmed the death and noted the pause in parachuting activities as part of the investigation process.[3]
If you’d like, I can summarize official statements from Defence or assemble a timeline of the events and the investigations as they unfold, with citations.