Ex-Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon and his family have expressed their condolences after a Defence Force paratrooper’s tragic death in a mid-air training exercise this week.

Warrant Officer Lachlan Muddle, 50, collided with a fellow soldier a few hundred feet above the ground during a drill at Jervis Bay Airfield about 5.40pm on Monday 11 May.

Sadly, he sustained critical injuries.

The episode is the first parachuting fatality since Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, son of the former federal Defence Minister, died in March 2024 during a training incident at RAAF Base Richmond.

“The Fitzgibbon family joins all Australians in expressing our sorrow at the loss of another special forces soldier overnight,” he said.

“We are also thinking of his injured mate… and all those involved in the training exercise. 

“Warrant Officer Lachlan Muddle is an Australian hero. 

“Having served on operations and putting his life on the line for his country, he was still training younger soldiers prepared to make the same sacrifices.

“People like our son and brother Jack.

“Training to do battle is an inherently dangerous thing, especially for our free-fall paratroopers.”

Mr Fitzgibbon said his family knew that reality only too well.

“Like us, we hope those closest to Lachlan Muddle will also draw comfort from his heroic service to his nation and the sacrifices he made in our nation’s name,” he added.

“Lest we Forget.”

The latest accident was connected to the Australian Defence Force’s Parachute School.

The two men had already deployed parachutes when the collision occurred, Special Operations Commander Major General Garth Gould stated.

“Both paratroopers were highly-skilled, between the two of them they had several thousand jumps to their credit,” he said.

The other soldier sustained minimal injury and was the first to provide first aid to WO Muddle, who joined the ADF in 1994.

He served the majority of his time in the Special Air Service.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said WO Muddle participated in five separate deployments, including to Afghanistan.

“He is very much remembered for his humour and his commitment to service,” he explained.

“Lachlan Muddle’s sacrifice is as meaningful and significant as any of those on the battlefield.”

The Defence department said it would support his family and all members involved in the tragic accident.

“The death of one of our soldiers is a tragedy and deeply felt by the army family and across the broader defence community,” it admitted in a statement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said all Australians were in debt to those who serve their country.

“This tragic accident is a stark reminder that there are no easy days for those who defend our nation,” he declared.

All parachuting operations across Australia have been paused during initial investigations into the incident.

The exercise was part of a six-week advanced free fall training drill and conducted in the early evening with participants wearing night-vision goggles, Major General Gould said.

Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon’s death led to an investigation by the Department of Defence and the ADF, as well as a two-month halt to activities.

“In terms of my family, we are waiting, still, on the outcome of the IGADF investigation into Jack’s fatal jump,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“Whatever the outcome, it won’t bring him back.

“However, we continue to draw comfort in the fact Jack died training to put his life on the line for his country.”

Despite the two deaths, Mr Marles said he was confident in the safety procedures in place for parachute training.

“Specifically in relation to parachuting, I’ve seen first-hand the skill and the competence of those men and women who serve in our Defence Force,” he said.

• With AAP

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