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Vic skydiver tells of storm terror

A battered and bruised skydiver who was forced to ditch into the bay as a wild storm lashed parts of Melbourne has told of his dramatic emergency landing.

After a morning of soaring temperatures and uncomfortable humidity, a freak and furious blast hit parts of the city yesterday afternoon, taking many by surprise.

The wild weather, which toppled trees, caused power outages and wreaked havoc on the city's roads, also brought down 14 tandem skydivers during a jump off St Kilda foreshore.

Three have spent the night in hospital, including Daniel Kemmink, who suffered four broken ribs after he and his instructor, Jeremy, plummeted heavily into the ocean.

Skydiver Daniel Kemmink suffered bruises and abrasions as he was pelted by rain and hail during yesterday's turbulent jump. Photo: 7News
Skydiver Daniel Kemmink suffered bruises and abrasions as he was pelted by rain and hail during yesterday's turbulent jump. Photo: 7News

Speaking to Seven News from his hospital bed, Daniel said he knew something was wrong the moment he leapt from the plane.

"As soon as I chucked my legs out of the plane all I felt was this massive gust of wind and hail hitting me. I thought 'I could be in some serious trouble here'," he said.

"All I could do was sort of crunch myself up, close my eyes and hope that we make it to the bottom OK."


As the daredevils plummeted towards the ground, they were pelted with rain and hail before wild winds blew their parachute off course.

"He (instructor, Jeremy) said 'alright man, we've got to hit the water so brace yourself'.

"I chucked my legs up and as soon as we hit the water there was a massive bang. I was instantly winded and I couldn't breathe.

"I was under the water for so long, I thought 'this is it, I'm going to drown'."

Tandem skydiver Daniel Kemmink and his instructor were forced to ditch into the ocean off St Kilda foreshore after wind gusts blew their parachute off course. Photo: Supplied
Tandem skydiver Daniel Kemmink and his instructor were forced to ditch into the ocean off St Kilda foreshore after wind gusts blew their parachute off course. Photo: Supplied

Daniel said he was submerged underwater for about 10 to 15 seconds as the weight of the parachute beared down.

"I could feel ourselves getting dragged away," he said. "The parachute was out of the water and forcing us further out into the ocean. I couldn't so anything to stop the force. It was quite traumatising."

Eventually, Daniel said he managed to muster enough energy to pull himself to the surface.

"I relaxed myself the best I could until I felt sand underneath my feet. Once I did that, I forced myself up and more or less helped Jeremy with his injury as well.

"That initial first breath was a massive relief."

Daniel and Jeremy were pulled from the water by rescue crews after witnesses on the beach raised the alarm.

Fairfax reports the Australian Parachute Agency, which monitors skydiving safety, is investigating.

Seven's national meteorologist David Brown said severe storms with heavy rain, damaging winds and hail could return this afternoon. The temperature is forecast to hit 33 degrees.

"Later this afternoon after 2pm an approaching low pressure trough will provide a broad trigger and set off extensive stormy weather across the state, especially over central and eastern districts.

"The winds in the middle atmosphere are strong and once the storms get underway squalls in excess of 100km/hr are highly like.

"Flash flooding and large hail is a real possibility too.

"The storm threat should ease tomorrow, but rain up to 100 mm is expected to affect vast areas of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania this weekend into early next week."

Trees brought down at Somerville as a powerful storm lashed parts of Melbourne yesterday afternoon. Photo: Supplied
Trees brought down at Somerville as a powerful storm lashed parts of Melbourne yesterday afternoon. Photo: Supplied

The State Emergency Service took more than 1000 calls for assistance in two hours when storms hit about 2.30pm Wednesday afternoon, spokesman Stefan Delatovic said.

Of those, 765 calls came from Whitehorse, Knox and Maroondah and another 135 from around Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula.

Most calls were for fallen trees, with some for minor to moderate building damage, while occupants were forced to leave two houses that suffered significant damage at Ringwood and Vermont.

Trees toppled within metres of homes at Vermont. Photo: Supplied
Trees toppled within metres of homes at Vermont. Photo: Supplied

Mr Delatovic urged Melbourne residents to tie down or secure loose objects around their homes and clear gutters ahead of Thursday's predicted storms.