A 49-year-old man has died at an airfield (Image: Lewis Clarke / SWNS)
A 49-year-old experienced skydiver has become the third to die at a British airfield in nine months. The licensed diver, who had undertaken more than 10,000 jumps, died at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon at 1pm on Saturday.
Skydive Southwest, which operates out of Dunkeswell, said it was “deeply saddened” to confirm that an experienced skydiver and wingsuit coach tragically lost their life whilst carrying out a wingsuit jump with a friend. They confirmed he had been using personal parachute equipment and an advanced wingsuit, which is a webbed-sleeved jumpsuit that adds surface area to the diver’s body.
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Police were photographed at Dunkeswell Aerodrome (Image: Lewis Clarke / SWNS)
It confirmed that a British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
A person on social media claimed: “Unfortunately, it happened right behind me by a few hundred metres. Air ambulance landed briefly. Very sad and upsetting.”
His death comes months after another tragedy at the airfield. In June last year, Belinda Taylor, 48, and Adam Harrison, 30, died when their parachute failed to open.
The mum-of-four and the instructor fell 15,000ft during a tandem jump, and they were both tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
A Skydive Southwest spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends, and the wider skydiving community at this incredibly difficult time.
“As a small, family-run drop zone, this loss has affected us profoundly and personally. The UK skydiving community is close-knit, and when we lose one of our own, it is felt across the entire community.
The skydiver had undertaken more than 10,000 jumps (Image: Lewis Clarke / SWNS)
“The club, as required by all clubs affiliated to the governing body British Skydiving, followed set procedures by contacting the police and British Skydiving so they could carry out their independent investigation as to the cause of the accident.
“Our staff continue to assist British Skydiving and police providing all the information they require. We would respectfully ask that people refrain from speculation.
“Public conjecture can quickly lead to misinformation being shared, which is deeply distressing for the family, friends, and those directly affected. In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be kind.
“Our focus right now is on supporting the family, our staff, and our community as we process this loss.”
In a statement on social media, British Skydiving added: “British Skydiving can confirm that a fatal incident occurred yesterday involving a highly experienced skydiver at Dunkeswell Airfield.”