An Irish soldier who was due to get married died after accidentally getting caught up in one of his lines, a parachute club said.
Declan “Doc” O’Connell, 54, lost his life in Spain on Sunday – close to the spot where a member of the British Army’s parachute display team was killed last October.
The father-of-one was due to wed his partner Audrey in April and was planning his stag for next weekend.
Spanish authorities are investigating the incident which happened around midday near an aerodrome in Bollullos de la Mitacion, near Seville.
Kildare native Mr O’Connell was undertaking a civilian parachute instructors’ course and was off duty at the time.
A spokesman for the sports club said he left an aircraft for a skydive and had his parachute open immediately.
The spokesman added: “The skydiver became caught up in one or some of the lines of his main parachute resulting in the failure of the parachute opening correctly.
“The skydiver was observed to activate his reserve parachute which would be the normal procedure with a malfunctioning main parachute.
“Emergency procedures involve the detachment of a malfunctioning main parachute immediately before the reserve parachute is deployed.
“However, due to the skydiver being caught up in lines and seemingly unable to free himself, the main and reserve parachutes became entangled with the result of both parachutes failing to open correctly.”
The club said Mr O’Connell landed outside the normal landing area – believed to be in a field a kilometre away – and appeared to have died before anyone got to him.
The Civil Guard said: “An investigation is underway and a report on the incident will be submitted to a local court.”
An acting sergeant major, Mr O’Connell joined the Defence Forces in 1990.
His home unit was the Cadet School, Military College in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp.
A Defence Forces spokesman said: “He was a physical training instructor, confidence training instructor, driving instructor, APC instructor and live fire tactical trainer, and he trained officer cadets in the Cadet School for over 20 years.”
The Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said: “Declan was an outstanding soldier and leader who was highly respected by all who had the pleasure to serve with him.”
Tanaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheal Martin added: “It is so difficult to find the most appropriate words to express the terrible loss experienced by Declan’s family, friends and colleagues in these moments of grief and suffering.”
The Defence Forces are continuing to provide support to Mr O’Connell’s family as work is underway to repatriate his body.
The soldier led an active lifestyle, previously playing football for Newbridge Sarsfields and soccer for Newbridge Town.
Newbridge Sarsfields passed on their condolences to the O’Connell family.
A spokesman said: “Doc was a valued member of our club.”
The Irish Parachute Club added: “Declan was a proud member of the Irish Parachute Club for several years and we will always remember him with great fondness.”
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