Tragedy as beloved cop dies days after suffering critical injuries in freak indoor skydiving incident – as details about how the horror accident unfolded are revealed
- Officer suffered head and spinal injuries in indoor skydiving
- She was rushed to a Brisbane hospital in a critical condition
- Tragically, she died from her injuries on Wednesday
A senior police officer has died six days after suffering head and spinal injuries in an indoor skydiving accident.
Acting Senior Sergeant Michelle ‘Mully’ Mullen collided with the side of the wind tunnel at the iFly Indoor Skydiving facility at Chermside in Brisbane‘s north last Thursday.
Paramedics, including a critical care team, were called to the skydive centre about 4.20pm and rushed Snr Sgt Mullen to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition.
Tragically, she died from her injuries on Wednesday.
Acting Senior Sergeant Michelle ‘Mully’ Mullen (pictured) died six days after suffering head and spinal injuries in an indoor skydiving accident
Pictured is an image of skydivers in a wind tunnel at the indoor facility at iFly
Snr Sgt Mullen, 52, is said to have been an extremely experienced skydiver.
A note to her colleagues described the South Brisbane Crime Prevention Unit cop as a ‘well respected police officer and a friend to so many’.
Friends described her as ‘an inspiration’ and ‘kindness itself’.
They also spoke of Snr Sgt Mullen’s long love of skydiving, her sense of fun and caring nature.
Queensland Police said a report will be prepared for the coroner.
‘Police are assisting Work Health and Safety investigations in relation to a 52-year-old woman sustaining critical injuries at an indoor skydiving venue in Chermside on January 19,’ a spokesman said.
‘The woman sadly passed away from her injuries at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on January 25.’
Sen Sgt Michelle Mullen (left) is pictured with Tom Searles and Sen Sgt Greg Bishop in 2013
Two days before Sen Sgt Michelle Mullen’s accident, Nine Today weather presenter Tim Davies broadcast live from the same facility to promote the thrill seeker experience.
He looked shaky as he read his weather report in the tunnel and initially flew with an instructor holding his hand as the pair hovered in midair on a blast of air blowing up from the floor.
Wearing a jumpsuit and a crash helmet, he later precariously flew solo by himself at the end of the segment.
iFly has five locations in Australia, with the Brisbane site opening in 2019, and more than 80 worldwide. Their website says the customer’s safety is its main concern.
It adds that the wind tunnel’s unique design ‘allows you to safely enjoy your flight session’ and feel the sensation of freefalling without a parachute’.
Every customer must sign a waiver which says iFly is an ‘inherently dangerous activity involving strenuous physical exertion’.
The iFly indoor skydiving facility in Chermside, a northern suburb of Brisbane, is pictured
iFly advertises itself as releasing the ‘adrenaline of a freefall experience, in a safe and controlled environment’.
It is open to anyone aged three years and over who weighs under 136kg. Session prices start at $79.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted iFly Brisbane for comment.
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