Former Taupo base jumper dies in failed jump

A former Taupo base jumper has died after a failed jump in Norway.
Ted Rudd, 35, a former Taupo skydive tandem-master, was found with severely broken legs and head injuries after jumping off a mountain near his house three weeks ago, the Dominion Post reported.
Mr Rudd, who lived in Norway, had made more than 7500 skydives in Australia, Taupo and Motueka.
According to Mr Rudd's online autobiography, he was initially put off base jumping at the age of 19 by its high death rate and lack of specialist equipment. However, he returned to the sport when improvements were made.
In an online interview with a base jumping website, Mr Rudd talked about safety.
"I have seen a lot of new guys doing crazy shit and I catch myself shaking my head. But base is all about that looseness. I got back into base with no guidance and did a lot of stupid shit that must have alarmed more experienced jumpers. I still do stupid shit, but with a bit more of an idea of consequence."
Base jumping progressed from skydiving but involves leaping from fixed objects. Base is an acronym that stands for the four types of objects they jump from: buildings, antennae, spans, and earth, or mountains. Jumpers carry pre-packed parachutes to land safely and can wear special suits that let them fly horizontally.
A 2008 study found the annual fatality rate in 2002 was one in 60 participants worldwide.
- NZPA