Professional boxer Josh Frederiksen, 36, has died after a skydiving accident north-west of Brisbane on Wednesday, with police saying the death is not suspicious.
Frederiksen suffered serious injuries after crash landing during a jump at Toogoolawah, about 80 kilometres from the Queensland capital. He was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital at about 1pm, where he later died.
A GoFundMe set up to support his family had raised almost $20,000 by Thursday evening. Organiser Hannah Alexander wrote: “We weren’t ready to lose Josh. We weren’t ready for the goodbyes, for the heartbreak, or for the reality that there are now memories we will never get the chance to make with him.”
A police spokesperson said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The death of a professional athlete in a recreational accident highlights the risks inherent in extreme sports like skydiving.
- The family’s fundraiser reflects the community’s shock and the financial burden of such tragedies.
- The coroner’s findings may inform future safety recommendations for the sport.
Background
Skydiving is generally regarded as a highly regulated activity, but accidents, though rare, can be fatal. Josh Frederiksen was a professional boxer, and his death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the sporting community.
Key Perspectives
Family and friends: through the GoFundMe organiser, described their grief and the loss of a beloved person.
Police: said the death was not suspicious and a report would be prepared for the coroner.
What to Watch
- The coroner’s findings and whether any equipment or procedural failures are identified.
- Any further tributes or fundraising efforts in the boxing and skydiving communities.
Checked
9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFrederiksen died after a skydiving accident near Brisbane.The Age - Latest News: “A skydiver has died after an accident north-west of Brisbane.”
- SupportedJosh Frederiksen was a professional boxer and was 36.The Age - Latest News: “Professional boxer Josh Frederiksen, 36,”
- SupportedFrederiksen suffered serious injuries after crash landing during a jump at Toogoolawah on Wednesday.The Age - Latest News: “suffered serious injuries after crash landing on a jump on Wednesday at Toogoolawah”
- SupportedToogoolawah is roughly 80 kilometres from Brisbane.The Age - Latest News: “at Toogoolawah, roughly 80 kilometres from the Queensland capital.”
- SupportedFrederiksen was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital at about 1pm and later died there.The Age - Latest News: “He was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital at about 1pm, where he later died.”
- SupportedPolice said Frederiksen’s death was not suspicious.The Age - Latest News: “A police spokesperson said the death was not suspicious,”
- SupportedThe GoFundMe had raised almost $20,000 by Thursday evening.The Age - Latest News: “A GoFundMe set up to support Frederiksen’s family had raised almost $20,000 by 6.30pm on Thursday.”
- SupportedGoFundMe organiser Hannah Alexander wrote: “We weren’t ready to lose Josh. We weren’t ready for the goodbyes, for the heartbreak, or for the reality that there are now memories we will never get the chance to make with him.”The Age - Latest News: ““We weren’t ready to lose Josh. We weren’t ready for the goodbyes, for the heartbreak, or for the reality that there are now memories we will never get the chance to make with him,” organiser Hannah Alexander said.”
- SupportedA police spokesperson said a report would be prepared for the coroner.The Age - Latest News: “A police spokesperson said the death was not suspicious, and a report would be prepared for the coroner.”