Police have officially named the "highly experienced" skydiver and wingsuit coach who tragically lost his life during a jump in Devon over the weekend. Chas McNeil, aged 49 and hailing from Poole in Dorset, was pronounced deceased at the scene at Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton on Saturday afternoon.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
Emergency services were urgently dispatched to the aerodrome just before 1pm following reports of concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the details, stating: "Mr McNeil, who was from Poole, was confirmed deceased at the scene. His family were informed and we ask that their privacy is respected."
The force emphasised that enquiries remain ongoing, with collaboration between police, British Skydiving, and the East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office. In a poignant message, the police relayed words from Mr McNeil's family: "Keep your chin up and when you look up at the sky, think of Chas."
Skydive South West's Statement
Skydive South West, which operates from Dunkeswell Aerodrome, issued a heartfelt statement on social media, revealing that Mr McNeil had been performing a jump with a friend at the time of the incident. The centre described him as an experienced licensed skydiver and wingsuit coach with an impressive record of over 10,000 logged jumps.
The statement read: "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."
Skydive South West extended its thoughts and condolences to the family, friends, and the wider skydiving community, urging the public to refrain from speculation. A spokesperson added: "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."
British Skydiving's Response
British Skydiving also confirmed the fatal incident in a social media statement, noting it involved a "highly experienced skydiver" at Dunkeswell Airfield. The organisation announced that a British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will be convened to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Their statement expressed: "Our thoughts are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time." This incident follows previous tragedies in the area, including the deaths of mother-of-four Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, Dorset, who died while skydiving near Dunkeswell Aerodrome in June last year.
The skydiving community is now rallying to support those affected, with a focus on processing this loss while authorities work to determine the exact causes of this devastating event.
