A TANDEM-skydive instructor who died in a freak accident in NSW’s Southern Highlands has been hailed a hero by the family of the teenage jumper whose life he saved with the sacrifice of his own.

Tony Rokov, a 44-year-old Sydney father of two and a former defence force commando originally from South Australia, died during a jump at Goulburn’s Adrenalin Skydive on Saturday when a sudden blast of wind flung him and his tandem jumper, a 14-year-old boy, into the ground.

His last action was one of heroism, wrapping his legs and arms around the Canberra teenager and twisting his body to absorb the imminent fall, likely saving his life.

Elijah Arranz, 14, from the ACT, was flown to Sydney Children’s Hospital in a critical condition, but has since shown dramatic improvement.

“He is now in a serious but stable condition,’’ a hospital spokeswoman said.

Last night, his family said in a statement that “we have no doubt whatsoever that (Mr Rokov’s) selfless actions and his decades of experience saved Elijah’s life”.

media_camera Skydiving instructor Tony Rokov died in a freak accident. Picture: Facebook

“He is an incredible hero. We cannot begin to express our thanks and our sorrow to his family,” they said.

Mr Rokov did not know the teenager before the dive.

His school has also posted a comment on their Facebook page saying he had “numerous broken bones and other injuries”.

“Elijah’s parents have asked me to let everyone know that he is in good hands and that the news up until now has been positive,” the post reads.

“They have also asked me to thank everyone for their prayers and support. May we continue to hold them and the family of the skydiver instructor, Tony Rokov, who lost his life, in our prayers.”

Adrenalin Skydive chief instructor Yaakov Bokay said it was clear his colleague manoeuvred himself to take the impact first, when the pair’s canopy was swept sideways in a gust of wind just 20m from the ground, before they slammed into the ground.

“Tony was playful and cheeky with his tandem customers, making them laugh,’’ Mr Bokay said.

“He looked big and intimidating — like an action figure. But in real life he was gentle and soft-hearted. Whenever he came to the drop zone he had a big smile on his face.”

media_camera Tony Rokov twisted his body during a skydiving accident to help protect the teenager with him. Picture: Facebook

Rokov was a married father of two living in Cronulla who had completed 5000 jumps in the past.

Originally from South Australia, Rokov’s children are both aged under 10.

An Adelaide Tandem Skydiving spokesperson said: “The skydiving community is small and as such most people who have been jumping for a while are acquainted.

“Tony was a good friend of our chief instructor and others and our hearts go out to him and his family.”

Police said they are investigating the incident which is the first recorded such fatality at Goulburn.

“Tony was always such a helping person that if he ever saw that you were upset or needed anything, he would be there,” Mr Bokay, who knew Rokov for eight years, said.

“I’ve spoken to his mother and she is going through a tough time at the moment.”

media_camera People embrace after the accident. Picture: Kym Smith

It is believed four parachutists were participating in tandem skydives when the stricken pair were hit by a sudden windshear.

“It is a freak thing to happen,” Mr Bokay said.

“They were almost on the ground and then the wind came along and pushed them to the right and they just smashed into the ground.

“It all happened so fast.”

According to the skydive club’s Facebook page, forecast winds on Friday forced all jumping to be cancelled and rescheduled for Saturday.

However conditions were deemed safe early Saturday morning.

Despite the incident happening less than 24 hours earlier, Adrenalin Skydive Goulburn confirmed they will be open for business on Sunday.

“Yes we will be jumping tomorrow, thank you so much for your thoughts it is so very much appreciated,” the company wrote on its Facebook page.

media_camera Ambulance at the scene at Adrenalin Skydive’s jump site where a man has died and a teenager left critically injured after a tandem skydive went wrong. Picture: Kym Smith

media_camera An aerial view of the Adrenalin Skydive site in Goulburn.

Rokov had been working at the centre for eight years.

According to Australian skydiving laws, the minimum age for a tandem jump is 12.

In February 2014 at the same airport, a man suffered a broken pelvis and spine after a hard landing.

Originally published as Skydiver who died ‘an incredible hero’