Horror as man turns into third to die at UK airfield in 9 months | UK | News | EUROtoday

A 49-year-old skilled skydiver has turn into the third to die at a British airfield in 9 months. The licensed diver, who had undertaken greater than 10,000 jumps, died at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon at 1pm on Saturday.

Skydive Southwest, which operates out of Dunkeswell, stated it was “deeply saddened” to verify that an skilled skydiver and wingsuit coach tragically misplaced their life while finishing up a wingsuit bounce with a good friend. They confirmed he had been utilizing private parachute tools and a complicated wingsuit, which is a webbed-sleeved jumpsuit that provides floor space to the diver’s physique.

It confirmed {that a} British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will probably be convened to analyze the circumstances surrounding the accident.

An individual on social media claimed: “Unfortunately, it happened right behind me by a few hundred metres. Air ambulance landed briefly. Very sad and upsetting.”

His dying comes months after one other tragedy on the airfield. In June final 12 months, Belinda Taylor, 48, and Adam Harrison, 30, died when their parachute did not open.

The mum-of-four and the trainer fell 15,000ft throughout a tandem bounce, and so they have been each tragically pronounced lifeless on the scene.

A Skydive Southwest spokesperson stated: “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 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.”