An Australian father has died in a “freak” BASE jumping accident in the Dolomites mountains in northern Italy.

Perth man James Nowland, 42, died on Wednesday when he crashed onto a road during a jump from the summit of Sass Pordoi.

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Investigators suspect he had a technical issue and was unable to open his parachute before crashing 400m away from his planned landing point about 1pm local time.

Friends who were BASE jumping with him say it was a freak accident.

Rescue teams arrived by land and helicopter but Nowland could not be revived.

“We tried to do our best to save (him)... there was nothing to do for him,” rescuer Andrea Dorigatti told 7NEWS.

Dorigatti added: “I asked the friends and they told me that the problem was with the parachute that didn’t get open.”

Sadly, nothing could be done.

The experienced BASE jumper was there for an international competition along with other Australians when things went terribly wrong.

His brother Adrian Nowland posted a tribute on social media, saying he wished the pair had been able to share more adventures together.

“Hope you’re soaring through the clouds doing what you love forever,” he said.

Nowland’s social media accounts are bursting with images from his high-flying adventures from across the world, including Switzerland, China, Australia, and New Zealand.

Just last year he mourned a friend also killed in a flying accident in Switzerland.

BASE jumping is an extreme sport that involves jumping off high objects, with BASE an acronym that stands for buildings, antennas, spans (bridges) and Earth (cliffs).

The Australian BASE Association previously said the dangers with the activity are “obvious and very real”.

“Experienced BASE jumpers generally have no problem overcoming the risks by implementing adequate risk management techniques,” the association said.

“This starts with ensuring you have the sufficient knowledge and skill and are using the right equipment.

“To maintain a maximum level of safety, BASE jumps should always be done with a high level of caution and a BASE jumper also should not try to push beyond their skill level.”

The popular figure in the tight-knit sport’s community leaves leaves behind a wife and young children.