Naas skydiver (34) who died in crash 'larger than life'

Ireland's close-knit skydiving community paid tribute yesterday to a Co Kildare instructor who died in a plane crash in Australia

Nigel O'Gorman (34), from Naas, Co Kildare, was killed when the single-engined Cessna in which he was travelling crashed into a small reservoir east of Brisbane on Monday.

The Irishman, who travelled to Australia five years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time skydiving instructor, was one of four people killed in the crash.

PJ Lawlor, drop zone manager at the Falcons Parachute Club in Co Carlow, where Mr O'Gorman began skydiving 10 years ago, described the Kildare man as a "happy-go-lucky character" who became hooked on the sport.

"He loved skydiving. He loved his job. He loved the fact that he was meeting different people every day," Mr Lawlor told The Irish Times.

He said Mr O'Gorman's loss would be felt by many in the 300-strong Irish skydiving community.

"He'd bend over backwards most of the time to help anybody out." This included acting as the driver at Mr Lawlor's wedding.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is offering consular assistance to Mr O'Gorman's parents, Dermot and Beatrice, who are travelling to Australia to bring home their son's body.

Three other people were killed in the crash, including two British tourists.

Mr O'Gorman's fiancee, Emma McCormack, also from Naas, had been waiting 500m (1,640ft) from the crash site. "Emma was in the drop zone waiting for them to come back. She was waiting there with Nigel's mobile phone and stuff. We can only imagine how upset she is," said Mr O'Gorman's cousin, Robert Grogan.

He told reporters Mr O'Gorman was a larger-than-life character who loved the outdoor life and travel.

Colman Brouder, chief instructor with the Co Offaly-based Irish Parachute Club, said Mr O'Gorman was due to return home in the summer to do some work with its instructors.

"We were looking forward to that happening, him coming back," said Mr Brouder.

"He had achieved more in 12 years than a lot of people had in 40 years. He'll certainly be remembered in the skydiving community because he would have passed a lot of people through his hands." - (Additional reporting PA)