A 49-year-old man, described as a highly experienced skydiver with over 10,000 jumps, died after a wingsuit jump at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Honiton, Devon. Emergency services were called around 1pm on Saturday following concerns for his welfare, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been informed.
The man, who was also a wingsuit coach, was carrying out the jump with a friend using his personal parachute equipment and an advanced wingsuit. Skydive South West, the operator based at the aerodrome, confirmed the incident and expressed deep sadness at the loss.
In a statement, the centre 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.' They added that the UK skydiving community is close-knit and that they are cooperating with investigations by police and British Skydiving.
British Skydiving said a Board of Inquiry would be convened to investigate the circumstances of the accident. The incident comes after two other skydivers died in the same area in June last year.
