An experienced Australian army paratrooper has died following a mid-air collision during a training exercise on the New South Wales coast, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred at Jervis Bay airfield around 5:40 pm on Monday, when Warrant Officer Lachlan Muddle collided with another paratrooper and fell to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries.
Details of the Incident
Muddle, aged 50, was assisting a parachute training activity when the accident took place, according to Army Special Operations Commander Major General Garth Gould. The collision happened several hundred feet above ground in low-light conditions as the paratroopers were training using night-vision goggles. “What we know about the incident is that both paratroopers collided several hundred feet above the ground whilst they were manoeuvring towards the drop zone,” Major General Gould said. “After the collision, both soldiers fell from height.”
The second soldier survived the fall with minor injuries and did not require hospitalisation. “Both paratroopers were highly skilled, between the two of them they had several thousand jumps to their credit,” Major General Gould added.
Military Career and Tributes
Muddle joined the army in 1995 and served most of his career in the Special Operations Command’s Special Air Service Regiment. He completed five deployments, including to Afghanistan. “He was highly regarded within our community, a skilled professional, and he'll be remembered for his sense of humour and his genuine and deep commitment to serving the nation,” Major General Gould said.
His death was “very deeply and immediately felt”, the officer said, adding that Special Operations Command and the army are supporting the family. “And for the moment, we are asking that everyone is just respectful of the next of kin's privacy while we continue to support them.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles also expressed condolences. “This tragic accident is a stark reminder that there are no easy days for those who defend our nation,” said Mr Albanese. “May Warrant Officer Class Two Muddle live on in every heart he touched.” Mr Marles acknowledged the risks involved in training: “The defence force trains as it fights, and so there is necessarily risk in defence force training. And what that means is that Lachlan Muddle's sacrifice is as meaningful and significant as any of those on the battlefield.”
Broader Impact and Investigation
The Returned and Services League of Australia issued a statement calling the incident a “sobering reminder” that service to the nation extends beyond conflict to the demanding preparation that underpins operational readiness. “Every Australian who puts on a uniform accepts a level of sacrifice that most of us will never be asked to make,” RSL national president Peter Tinley said.
The military has halted all personnel parachuting operations pending an investigation into the death. Training will resume after initial reports confirm whether it is safe to proceed. “And then I think there'll be longer lines of inquiry that will unfold over several months and potentially years, as we've seen with the previous parachuting incident,” Major General Gould noted.
This is the second parachute-related death in two years, following Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon’s death in 2024 after a parachuting incident in Sydney. Despite these incidents, Major General Gould expressed confidence in the safety procedures for parachute training. “They are up to scratch and fit for purpose, I've got a high degree of confidence in our training system,” he said.
