| Full Name | Sarah-Jane Bayram |
| Nickname | SJ |
| Nationality | British |
| Age at Death | 43 years old |
| Date of Death | March 10, 2022 |
| Location of Death | Muriwai Beach, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Official Cause of Death | Blunt force injuries complicated by drowning |
| Occupation | Space Planning Analyst, University of Auckland; former Architect & Interior Designer |
| Skydiving Experience | 200+ jumps |
| Jump Type | Nine-person “speed star” formation descent |
| Company Involved | Skydive Auckland |
| Father | Andrew Bayram (UK-based) |
Who Was Sarah-Jane Bayram?
Sarah-Jane Bayram was an experienced skydiver and prominent member of the New Zealand Parachute Federation. She had recently logged her 200th jump over Waiheke Island and was planning to take part in a record-breaking formation attempt. She worked as a space planning analyst at the University of Auckland and had worked as an architect and interior designer for two decades.
Known affectionately in the skydiving community as “SJ”, Sarah-Jane was celebrated for her skill in the air and her vivid personality on the ground. Close friend and fellow skydiver Lisa Chambers described her as “very quirky — piercings, tattoos and coloured hair. Always a huge smile. She had this great dry sense of humour. She was incredibly funny. She really loved skydiving and was a brilliant person inside and out.”
Bayram had moved to New Zealand from the UK some years before her death and had been ticking off items on an adventure “bucket list” — which is how she first got into skydiving.
What Was Sarah-Jane Bayram’s Cause of Death?
Court documents have officially confirmed that Sarah-Jane Bayram died from blunt force injuries complicated by drowning. A pathologist was unable to confirm whether her death occurred during the mid-air collision itself, or whether she perished as a result of landing unconscious in the ocean.
Officials indicated they believed she was still breathing when she hit the ocean, making drowning the most likely final cause of death. Investigators and rescuers noted the fatality may have been prevented had a rescue boat been on standby or had local lifeguards been informed of the jump in advance.
In summary, the official medical verdict is a combination of two factors: the severe physical trauma of a high-speed mid-air collision at over 200km/h, and subsequent drowning after she landed unconscious approximately one kilometre from the shore.
The Accident: What Happened on March 10, 2022?
Pre-Jump Warning Signs
Before boarding the plane, Sarah-Jane Bayram had voiced concern about strong wind conditions to a friend. Despite her worry, she proceeded with the jump. Two other skydivers who had been offered spots on the same flight declined to jump, also citing the gusty offshore easterly breeze. One of them later said: “It was windy, blowing off-shore. If something goes wrong, you’re going to be blown out to sea.”
The Mid-Air Collision
During the nine-person “speed star” formation descent, Bayram collided with another skydiver and was knocked unconscious. The collision occurred at speeds exceeding 200km/h. Remarkably, another skydiver in the group managed to pull Bayram’s parachute for her following the collision — but she had already been rendered unconscious and was unable to steer herself to safety.
The powerful offshore winds then carried her more than one kilometre out to sea. The other skydiver involved in the collision suffered only minor injuries and landed safely on shore.
The Rescue Attempt
Two local surfers — Dylan Wallis and Steve Morpeth — witnessed Bayram plummeting off course from the shore and raced to reach her on a jet ski. They hauled her from the water and began performing CPR. Rescuers described her as “purple, foaming from the nose and mouth”, appearing to have aspirated water.
Muriwai Beach head lifeguard Glenn Gowthorpe and another volunteer surf lifeguard then arrived and ferried Bayram back to shore — where, despite every effort, she could not be saved.
Meanwhile, Skydive Auckland safety officer Fiona McLaren had activated an emergency response plan from the beach, radioing the pilot to return and circle the area, and calling Search and Rescue and emergency services at 7.40pm and 7.41pm. Fire and police arrived at 7.53pm and 8pm respectively.
Safety Failures: No Rescue Boat on Standby
One of the most troubling findings from the investigation was the complete absence of a rescue boat. At the time of the jump, Skydive Auckland had no watercraft on standby, nor had the company briefed local surf lifesavers that a jump was taking place at sunset near the ocean.
Following Bayram’s death, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued Skydive Auckland a safety improvement notice, requiring the company to ensure:
- Standby rescue craft were in place for all future jumps over or near water
- Rescue personnel were trained and qualified as first responders
- Skydivers participating in such jumps were capable and competent swimmers
Stuart Bean, chairman of the New Zealand Parachute Industry Association (NZPIA), called for standby rescue boats to become mandatory for all beach landings. Industry experts widely agreed the tragedy may have been entirely preventable with basic precautions in place.
Legal Aftermath: Skydive Auckland Charged and Guilty Plea
Criminal Charges Filed
Following a CAA investigation — which was itself criticised for delays and a lack of skydiving expertise — the aviation watchdog filed two charges against Skydive Auckland Ltd and two against the company’s director, Tony Green, under the Civil Aviation Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Guilty Plea and $100,000 Reparation
Skydive Auckland ultimately pleaded guilty to one charge under the Civil Aviation Act — a charge carrying a maximum penalty of $100,000. As part of the plea arrangement, the CAA withdrew the remaining charges against the company and dropped all charges against director Tony Green entirely.
The Auckland skydiving firm agreed to pay $100,000 in reparation directly to Sarah-Jane Bayram’s grieving family.
CAA Investigation Criticised
A fellow skydiver who was on the same fatal jump spoke anonymously about serious concerns with the investigation. They alleged that no one from the CAA contacted them until more than eight months after the accident — by which time critical details had been forgotten. The CAA investigator reportedly admitted to having no specialist skydiving knowledge, requiring witnesses to explain basic terminology during interviews.
Third Death Linked to the Same Skydiving Operation
Sarah-Jane Bayram’s death was not an isolated tragedy at this operation. Her death was the third fatality in three consecutive years linked to the Parakai-based skydiving and training facility — all involving recent graduates of the New Zealand Skydiving School:
- March 2019 — Irish national Jack Creane, 27, died after crash-landing at Parakai shortly after graduating from the skydiving school.
- March 2021 — Theo Williams, 21, died after a hard landing in Tauranga. He had trained at Parakai and recently graduated.
- March 2022 — Sarah-Jane Bayram, 43, died after a mid-air collision with another recent graduate during the Muriwai Beach formation jump.
Following the Herald’s investigative coverage, the CAA launched a broader investigation into the skydiving industry, citing “concerning trends” that required further examination, and pledged to monitor the sector and utilise all available regulatory tools going forward.
Tributes and Memorial at Muriwai Beach
In the days following the tragedy, approximately 60 people gathered at Muriwai Beach for a traditional Māori whakawātea blessing ceremony led by Ngāti Whātua kaumātua Glen Wilcox. The gathering included members of the skydiving community, first responders, emergency workers, local iwi, and colleagues from the University of Auckland.
Muriwai Beach head lifeguard Glenn Gowthorpe told those gathered: “I’m sorry SJ that it didn’t work out.”
Bayram’s UK-based father, Andrew Bayram, sent a message of heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in his daughter’s rescue — including the civilian surfers, lifeguards, police, and local iwi — for everything they had done.
The New Zealand Parachute Federation paid tribute on social media: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we lost our sky sister Sarah-Jane Bayram in a tragic accident. SJ touched the hearts of so many skydivers and she will be incredibly missed.”
Sarah-Jane Bayram’s Skydiving Legacy
Despite her life being cut tragically short, Sarah-Jane Bayram left a lasting mark on New Zealand’s skydiving community. She had completed over 200 jumps, helped set a New Zealand women’s sequential skydiving record, and was actively preparing for a 17-person women’s formation jump that would have broken another national record at the time of her death.
A fellow skydiver who was on the same fatal jump remembered her warmly: “Bayram was passionate and really lovely. Her death rocked the parachuting community. We love jumping. We love the people. It’s a small community, and losing anyone is really painful.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was Sarah-Jane Bayram’s cause of death?
Court documents confirmed that Sarah-Jane Bayram died from blunt force injuries complicated by drowning. She was struck by another skydiver at over 200km/h during a nine-person formation jump over Muriwai Beach, knocked unconscious, blown over a kilometre out to sea, and landed in the ocean. A pathologist could not confirm whether death occurred during the collision or upon hitting the water.
When and where did Sarah-Jane Bayram die?
Sarah-Jane Bayram died on March 10, 2022, off the coast of Muriwai Beach, Auckland, New Zealand, during a sunset skydiving formation jump organized by Skydive Auckland.
How old was Sarah-Jane Bayram when she died?
Sarah-Jane Bayram was 43 years old at the time of her death on March 10, 2022.
Was Skydive Auckland held legally responsible?
Yes. Skydive Auckland pleaded guilty to one charge under the Civil Aviation Act and agreed to pay $100,000 in reparation to Bayram’s grieving family. Charges against the company’s director were withdrawn as part of a plea deal with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Did Sarah-Jane Bayram know the jump was dangerous?
Reports indicate that Bayram had voiced concern about strong wind conditions before boarding the plane. Two other skydivers declined to jump that evening for the same reason. Despite her concern, she proceeded with the jump.
Why was there no rescue boat at the scene?
At the time, there was no legal requirement for recreational beach landings to have a rescue craft on standby. Skydive Auckland had not arranged a boat nor briefed local lifeguards about the jump. Following Bayram’s death, the CAA issued a safety improvement notice requiring rescue craft for all future jumps near water.
How experienced was Sarah-Jane Bayram as a skydiver?
Bayram was a highly experienced skydiver with over 200 jumps. She was a prominent member of the New Zealand Parachute Federation, had helped set a national women’s sequential skydiving record, and was preparing for another record attempt at the time of her death.
Who tried to save Sarah-Jane Bayram?
Two local surfers, Dylan Wallis and Steve Morpeth, spotted Bayram plummeting into the ocean and raced to her on a jet ski. They pulled her from the water and performed CPR. Muriwai Beach head lifeguard Glenn Gowthorpe and another volunteer surf lifeguard then took over and ferried her back to shore. Despite everyone’s best efforts, she could not be saved.
Sources: NZ Herald, RNZ News, Newstalk ZB, Skydiving Source. All information is based on publicly available court documents and news reporting as of March 24, 2026.
