Skydiving world record jump attempt continues despite German’s death

A German skydiver died while jumping with 221 others as they attempted to set a world record for a group-formation team.

Diana Paris, 46, of Berlin - an experienced parachutist who had made 1,500 jumps - was killed after her main parachute failed and she did not have time to fully open her reserve chute.

She was taking part in the first attempt by the World Team group to set the record above the Arizona desert, near Eloy, about 105kilometres south of Phoenix, in the southwestern United States.

Yesterday they were planning to continue trying to beat the record - but with only 221skydivers rather than 222, said Gulcin Gilbert, a spokeswoman for the group.

"Our dear friend cannot and will not be replaced. The group will continue to hold the slot open in the skydiver's honour," she said.

Jocelyn Bernatchez, a spokeswoman for SkyDive Arizona, a skydiving facility where the attempt took place, said of Thursday's accident: "The malfunctioning parachute was released too low to allow the reserve parachute to fully open."

Bernatchez said the plane involved had been functioning properly, and that weather conditions in the area were good at the time of the accident.