Experienced instructor Stephen Hoare, 37, and his tandem passenger Alex Welling, 32, died while skydiving at Goulburn airport, in southern NSW, on June 27, 2021.
Share this @internewscast.com

The court was informed that two skydivers became entangled on a plane before tragically falling to their deaths, as crucial safety procedures were neglected before the disastrous jump.

SafeWork NSW has filed charges against Goulburn Flight Training Centre and its sole director, Attilio Giovanni Ferrara, also known as John Ferrara, accusing them of breaching workplace safety obligations.

Experienced instructor Stephen Hoare, 37, and his tandem passenger Alex Welling, 32, died while skydiving at Goulburn airport, in southern NSW, on June 27, 2021.
Experienced instructor Stephen Hoare, 37, and his tandem passenger Alex Welling, 32, died while skydiving at Goulburn airport, in southern NSW, on June 27, 2021.(Nine)

Ferrara is facing a 10-day judge-alone hearing in the NSW District Court in Sydney.

A brief GoPro video captured by a fellow skydiver showed Welling grinning with anticipation as he approached the plane’s open door, secured to Hoare.

The men were captured sitting on the edge of the open door for a few seconds before they attempted to launch.

The vision showed a black strap getting caught on the exterior of the plane, leaving the men dangling upside-down mid-air.

One of the men can be heard swearing before the camera follows the course of the skydiver who went on to land safely.

The prosecuting barrister, Darien Nagle, noted that a metal step was recently installed on the Cessna aircraft—owned by Ferrara’s son’s business—to aid tandem skydives.

The trial would hear evidence the risks of snagging on the step had been identified in the flight training centre’s own documents, Nagle said.

He emphasized that the lack of a “buddy check” on the equipment prior to the jump failed to detect the loose webbing that led to the snagging incident.

Nagle stated in his opening remarks, “It was always apparent and understood that these kinds of steps, along with unchecked webbing, could result in devastating outcomes.”

The addition of steps on Cessna skydiving planes was common practice across the industry to help launch parachuters clear of the aircraft.

Similar metal steps were removed from other planes after the men’s deaths.

“It is, of course, an absolute tragedy these types of safety measures have to be taken after an incident like this,” Nagle said.

The men’s families left the courtroom while footage of the snagging incident was played.

Barrister Maurice Baroni, representing Ferrara and his company, indicated there would be parts of the evidence in dispute, including whether the flight centre was correctly identified as the corporate defendant.

Under cross-examination, SafeWork NSW inspector Narelle O’Brien acknowledged several of the company’s employees referred to it as Adrenaline Skydive rather than Goulburn Flight Training Centre.

But she nominated the centre as the corporate defendant, based partly on documents that identified it as the entity that paid various skydiving instructors.

The trial continues before Judge Andrew Scotting.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Water taps risk running dry in vast swathes of Australia

Australia Faces Widespread Water Shortages as Taps Threaten to Run Dry

Southern Australia is among the global regions anticipated to face “day-zero droughts,”…
Kimmel tears up on return to late night show

Jimmy Kimmel Gets Emotional During His Return to Late Night TV

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has tearfully said he never wanted to…

Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Resumes Following Suspension Due to Charlie Kirk Remarks

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, which was abruptly pulled from the air…
Jacinda Ardern has published her second book, Mum's Busy Work (pictured), through Penguin Random House

Jacinda Ardern Surprises with a New Career Path Less Than Three Years After Resigning as New Zealand Prime Minister

Jacinda Ardern has released her second book about the struggles of balancing motherhood…
'Rewards would be too great': Trump hits out at recognition of Palestine

Trump Criticizes the Potential Benefits of Recognizing Palestine

Without naming the individual countries, Trump accused them of rewarding Hamas for…

Reasons Behind Rodrigo Duterte’s Charges of Crimes Against Humanity

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity…
Jebriel Dandan and Seifeddine Malas

Inquest reviews police actions in fatal car crash involving two family members

The tragic moments leading up to the deaths of two relatives in…
Mount Isa Queensland man arrested

Queensland Resident Faces Over 70 Alleged Child Sex Offenses Spanning 25 Years

A 40-year-old man from Mount Isa faces charges for 75 child sex…
Former Australia Post boss blasts 'irresponsible' ex-PM over watch saga

Ex-Australia Post CEO Criticizes ‘Careless’ Former Prime Minister Over Watch Controversy

Five years after leaving Australia Post, ex-CEO Christine Holgate holds no regrets…
10. At the age of 17, sprinter Gout Gout has already been described as a generational talent. Hailing from a South Sudanese family who migrated to Ipswich, he has emerged as a posterchild for the migrant community. Australians have rallied around the teenager, who went on to break the Oceania 200-metre record.

Australia’s 10 Cultural Powerhouses to Watch in 2025

This year, many busy and conscientious Australians have found a reliable companion…

Northern Territory Attorney-General Faces Scrutiny Following Public Outcry Over Deadly Hit-and-Run Incident

Warning: this content is distressing and contains the names of Aboriginal people…
Macron called the US president when he was blocked by his motorcade.

Macron Navigates NYC Streets Due to Trump Motorcade Traffic Block

Traffic during the United Nations General Assembly in New York can be…