Ambulance staff cried after losing a 50-minute attempt to resuscitate a Queensland woman who crashed during her 25th solo parapente instruction flight.
Jennifer Mary Horncy, aged 27, previously of Queensland, who had appeared to be receiving and following instructions, crashed near the Flight Park between Queenstown and Arrowtown about 4 pmon Saturday.
Police say she had taken off from Coronet Peak and was flying solo, among a group - understood to include her husband - which was under instruction, when she appeared to lose control.
St John Wakatipu district manager Kelvin Perriman said that the accident was one of the most tragic and emotional he had attended.
Ambulance staff, who were able to drive to the accident site, tried to resuscitate the woman for about 50 minutes, he said.
"Everyone was in tears, including us."
Police are making inquiries and an investigation overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority will be carried out to determine the cause of the accident.
Flight Park manager Ralph Ulrich said Ms Horncy was taking her 25th solo parapente instruction flight.
The conditions were perfect for the Coronet Peak takeoff and Ms Horncy appeared to be receiving and adhering to instructions through a one-way radio communication link with her instructor on the ground, Mr Ulrich said.
The instructor began talking Ms Horncy through a standard training exercise, which was used as a descent technique in thermal conditions.
"You start doing lighter turns, then a steeper spiral dive, then you release and pull out ... She never did," Mr Ulrich said.
He expected a CAA representative to be in contact today.
"She was following instructions perfectly, but she just didn't stop. Nobody can understand it," Mr Ulrich said.