![Heath Hateley before he completed a successful skydive in 2023. Picture Heath Hateley/Instagram Heath Hateley before he completed a successful skydive in 2023. Picture Heath Hateley/Instagram](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/194363481/81f5231e-b661-4310-a262-cd19d5c1ff86.jpg/r0_0_1920_1079_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A Natimuk-born, Geelong man, described as an "absolute legend" by friends is facing horrendous injuries after a skydiving accident on February 4.
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Heath Hateley made a crash landing during a solo jump at Victoria's Torquay Airport. He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition.
"It sounds like there's a chance he might not be able to work again," his friend Cory Varga said.
Mr Hateley's friends, family and community raised more than $25,000 to support the young skydiver.
"Heath would do anything for anyone," Mr Varga said.
![Heath Hateley before his skydiving accident. Picture Heath Hateley/Facebook Heath Hateley before his skydiving accident. Picture Heath Hateley/Facebook](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/194363481/05c2b9d9-9ccd-489a-bf6f-65241669274a.png/r0_0_1600_900_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
He hoped the money would "lessen the blow for him...and his family through [this] rough time".
The thrill-seeker had been travelling the world pursuing his passion for skydiving including at the Texas' Spaceland Centre in Houston.
![Heath Hateley photographed in a plane before skydiving. Picture Heath Hateley/Facebook Heath Hateley photographed in a plane before skydiving. Picture Heath Hateley/Facebook](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/194363481/2297fc6f-0112-456e-8151-fa2c7d2b36de.jpg/r0_154_960_695_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A GoFundMe page was established to raise money for Mr Hateley on his long road to recovery.
The fundraiser eclipsed its target of $25,000 in two days as the skydiving community rallied behind Mr Hateley.