SAS Veteran Dies in Tragic Skydiving Accident at World Championships
A heroic SAS soldier has died after crashing into a pond while representing Great Britain at a prestigious global skydiving competition. Staff Sergeant Chris Good, aged 52, passed away on September 25, 2024, when he tragically misjudged his parachute landing in Pretoria, South Africa.
Inquest Reveals Altitude Factor in Fatal Landing
An inquest held this week in Hereford heard that the experienced soldier hit the edge of a specialized 'swoop pond' during his descent, suffering injuries that ultimately proved fatal. Good had completed thousands of skydives throughout his distinguished career, having joined the army's parachute regiment at just 17 years old.
However, the investigation determined that a critical lack of landing experience at the Pretoria site—situated approximately 4,000 feet above sea level—was a primary factor in the accident. Jeff Montgomery from British Skydiving provided expert testimony explaining the significant impact of altitude on parachute performance.
'Altitude above sea level has a substantial effect on how high-performance parachutes operate,' Montgomery stated. 'The higher you ascend, the thinner the air becomes. This reduced air density provides less drag and diminished lift, fundamentally altering how a parachute behaves from deployment all the way through to landing.'
Video Evidence Shows High-Speed Descent
Video footage from the incident reveals a high-speed descent with what appears to be an aggressive and steep dive toward the ground. This trajectory can lead to a prolonged recovery arc as the parachute remains in the dive for an extended period.
'This altitude-related challenge is not an uncommon factor at locations with significant elevation,' Montgomery added during the proceedings.
Distinguished Military Service and Personal Legacy
Staff Sergeant Good served with the elite and top secret SAS E Squadron during his military career, with deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan that demonstrated his courage and commitment. His wife, Sally Carvalho, told the hearing that parachuting was her husband's 'first love' and passion.
'He brought immense joy to countless people,' Carvalho testified. 'As a former tandem instructor, he ensured that no one ever landed without a smile on their face. Chris was fundamentally a safety-conscious individual who would not take unnecessary risks—this type of accident was completely contrary to his character.'
Tributes from the Skydiving Community
British Skydiving paid heartfelt tribute to Good with a touching social media post following his passing nearly two years ago. The organization highlighted that he was representing Team Great Britain at the 10th World Canopy Piloting Championships when the tragedy occurred.
'Chris was a cherished member of the team and an exceptionally skilled skydiver,' the tribute read. 'His loss will be deeply felt throughout our sport. Our sincere condolences extend to Chris's family and friends during this profoundly difficult period.'
The inquest continues to examine all aspects of the incident, with the skydiving community and military colleagues mourning the loss of a respected veteran whose dedication to both service and sport left an enduring impact.
