A man who lost his wife in the skydiving triple fatality at Mission Beach in far north Queensland has publicly expressed his grief, posting a tribute on social media.

Mother-of-eight Kerri Pike, 54, died alongside instructors Peter Dawson, 35, and Toby Turner 34, after what is believed to have been a mid-air collision between tandem and single skydivers at Mission Beach.

It is understood the jump was a family birthday gift to Ms Pike.

Alister Pike shared his grief in a Facebook post, including a photo of Ms Pike.

The couple was well-known in the small Mission Beach community – Mr Pike runs a fishing charter business and is a former Cassowary Coast councillor.

Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk extended her condolences and said Workplace, Health and Safety officers would be part of the investigation.

“You just don’t expect these things to happen – it’s usually such a safe sport,” she said.

“I know the thoughts of Queenslanders are with them at this awful time.”

Flowers laid at the scene where one of the skydivers was found. Photo: ABC

Video of jump with Queensland police

The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) said the investigation was complex and could take months.

Video footage from the jump will form part of that investigation.

APF chief executive officer Brad Turner said it would “leave no stone unturned to find out exactly what happened”.

“The police will be examining that footage to try to determine if there’s anything useful on there to show what actually occurred at the time of what we believe is an impact during freefall,” Mr Turner said.

Mr Turner said the accident had not only shocked the skydiving community in Australia, but worldwide.

“The whole industry is feeling the shock of it,” he said.

The APF will provide a report to the coroner.

Skydive Australia suspended its operations at Mission Beach in far north Queensland pending a full inquiry into the accident.

Authorities said it appeared there had been a mid-air collision. Photo: ABC