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Australian skydiver died ‘doing what she loved’ in Texas tragedy

An Australian skydive champion, involved in formation attempts such as this, has died in the US.

An Australian skydive champion, involved in formation attempts such as this, has died in the US. Photo: EPA

A record-holding Australian skydiver has been killed in an accident in Texas while doing the sport she loved, her mother says.

Melissa Porter died on June 24 at a facility in Houston where she worked as an instructor.

The 29-year-old Perth woman was attempting a high-risk diving manoeuvre called swooping but had a hard landing.

A report said her parachute deployed but she landed in shallow water.

Vonnie Porter said skydiving had been her daughter’s childhood dream.

“She died doing what she loved,” she told Nine News.

“She loved it. That’s her happy place.

“She’ll forever be in the sky just roaming the world now.”

The skydiving community remembered the 29-year-old champion and Australian record holder over social media on Monday.

“Mel was a magical person who touched the hearts of many people in the 40 countries she visited in her 29 years,” Skydive Spaceland Houston’s Nicholas Lott said.

“She had finally found a place that felt like home here in Texas, but unfortunately she wasn’t able to stay as long as any of us would have hoped.

“Those close to her have found great solace in the fact that she passed doing what she truly loved.”

Ms Porter was part of an Australian record-breaking effort in May as one of a 23-woman, two-point total break sequential dive in the Queensland town of Toogoolawah.

She will be remembered at an event in Houston on July 11 which will include an “ash dive” tribute.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian woman who died in the US.

“We send our deepest condolences to the woman’s family,” a spokesperson said.

The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office will examine the cause of Ms Porter’s death.

-AAP
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