PUTRAJAYA – Base jump trainings for today and tomorrow in conjunction with preparations for Federal Territories Day has been cancelled following a fatal incident involving one of the jumpers at the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry building yesterday.
In the 5.35pm incident, Azuan Taharudin, 49, was training with seven other members of the Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) team.
“Training for today and tomorrow has been cancelled in honour of Azuan’s burial ceremony,” said one of the latter’s friends when contacted via WhatsApp here today.
The base jump training was scheduled from yesterday to tomorrow in preparation for the 2021 Putrajaya Base Jump event in conjunction with the Federal Territories Day celebration which will be held on February 1.
It is believed that during the incident yesterday, Azuan had managed to open his parachute, but suddenly lost control and hit the side of the building several times before falling down.
He was taken to Putrajaya Hospital for treatment, but was pronounced dead at 6.10pm.
Azuan had over 12 years of experience in base jumping and was previously involved in various base jump events in Putrajaya, including those in conjunction with the 62nd National Day and Putrajaya Silver Jubilee celebrations.
Meanwhile, the ministry in a statement today said that it and PPj took the necessary safety precautions based on set procedures for the trial jump yesterday, including having an emergency rescue team on standby at the location.
“PPj submitted an application to the ministry, and permission was given based on conditions that were agreed upon by both parties,” said the ministry in its statement.
The ministry said that base jumping events are held at its building every year and the Putrajaya Base Jump event, which was held for the first time last year, has managed to draw participation from professional base jumpers, including those from abroad. – Bernama, January 2, 2021
