Coroner finds skydivers 'died instantly in mid-air collision'

A mother of eight and two men killed in a north Queensland skydiving accident nearly two years ago died instantly in the mid-air collision, a coroner has found.

Coroner Nerida Wilson today delivered her findings into the deaths of Kerri Pike, 54, Peter Dawson, 35, and Toby Turner, 34, on October 13, 2017, at Mission Beach.

Ms Pike and her instructor Mr Dawson who were diving in tandem were above Mr Turner when his sports parachute opened prematurely and they hit each other at speed.

Ms Pike's jump had been a birthday present from her husband, Alister Pike, who was watching on the beach, with one of her children.

"The collision was accidental and occurred when the solo sports jumper's sports parachute opened prematurely beneath the tandem pair," Ms Wilson found today.

"All sustained non-survivable injuries as a result of the collision."

She found that Mr Turner's parachute was undersized for its container and outside the manufacturer's recommendations.

She said Mr Turner was a seasoned industry professional with packing qualifications - who would have been aware of potential issues concerning the incompatibility of equipment.

She agreed with a submission that he had made an error of judgment about the appropriateness of the main parachute for the container.

But he may have felt with his skill and experience he could manage the rig, as he had done before, she said.

The coroner made a raft of recommendations she hopes will help prevent such an accident from happening again.

They include ensuring that no one should skydive using a main chute and container certified by a rigger or "Packer A" as being airworthy when used together.

The coroner accepted that many of the recommendations have already been adopted or considered.