Australian base jumper killed in Norway

A 28-year-old Australian was killed after crashing into a rock wall during a base (buildings, antennas, spans and earth) jump in Norway, police said today.

The man, from Brisbane, died last night after jumping off the Langrabbpiken mountain at 4,920 feet above sea level, near Sunndalsoera, 300 miles north-west of Oslo, police spokesman Magne Fredriksen said.

Norwegian newspaper Adresseavisen said the man was an experienced base jumper and was wearing a special jump-suit making it possible to glide through the air. His parachute failed to open, likely causing him to crash into the side of the mountain, the paper said.

Four other Australians and one German participated in the jump and landed shocked, but unharmed, police said.

In 2002, a Norwegian BASE-jumper crashed to his death at the same location, the paper said.