By DENNIS AMOR

STAFF at a NSW caravan business have paid tribute to their boss who died while taking his first skydive ... a 70th birthday present from his family.

Adventurer and grandfather Terry Vowles, co-owner of R 'n' T Specialised Caravan Repairs and Accessories at Tweed Heads, is thought to have suffered a heart attack as he leapt out of the plane high over the Gold Coast.

"We cannot describe how awful we felt when we heard the news," admin worker Gae Preston told Caravanning News. "Terry was an absolutely wonderful person ... a loving family man and wonderful colleague who loved life."

Members of his family watched from the beach as Mr Vowles took the tandem jump, oblivious of the drama unfolding 10,000ft above them. Desperate attempts to revive him on Kirra Beach proved fruitless.

Ironically, Mr Vowles had told listeners to a local breakfast radio programme earlier that morning that he was looking forward to his skydive. "I'm going to enjoy it," he said.

Tandem instructor Rob McMillan told media he knew something was wrong as soon as their parachute opened.

"It looked like he had passed out, I tried to wake him up and hold his head up," he said.

He told how he began CPR as soon as they landed on the beach. "The ambulance turned up in a few minutes but unfortunately he passed away," he said.

Although part owner of the caravan business, Mr Vowles was not a caravanner. "He preferred to go bush in an old tent," Ms Preston said.

Mr Vowles had a son in New Zealand and daughter in England. He was planning to visit England next year to see his grandchild.

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