A skydiver has tragically died at the same airfield where two others died at less than a year ago. This is the third incident to impact an aerodrome in England in recent memory.
Police confirmed that they responded to calls from the Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon on February 28. They were "following concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver." According to a media release from Devon and Cornwall Police, the skydiver was dead.
The 49-year-old skydiver, whose identity was withheld, was pronounced dead on-scene. Investigators are still investigating exactly what happened.
A spokesperson for Skydive Southwest said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that an experienced licensed skydiver and wingsuit coach with over 10,000 jumps logged, tragically lost their life whilst carrying out a Wingsuit Jump with a friend, using his personal parachute equipment and an advanced Wingsuit.
Skydiver Dies
They continued, "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 organization also wrote, "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."
"British Skydiving can confirm that a fatal incident occurred yesterday involving a highly experienced skydiver at Dunkeswell Airfield," the statement read. "A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident."
"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time," they added.
