A 49-year-old man with over 10,000 skydives logged has died after a wingsuit jump at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon. Emergency services were called to the scene around 1pm on Saturday after concerns were raised for a skydiver's welfare.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the man was pronounced dead at the scene and his family have been informed. The man was carrying out the jump with a friend, using his own personal parachute equipment and an advanced wingsuit.
Skydive South West, which operates from the aerodrome, described the deceased as a “highly experienced licensed skydiver and wingsuit coach”. In a statement, the company said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that … this loss has affected us profoundly and personally.”
British Skydiving, the sport's governing body, said a Board of Inquiry would be convened to investigate the accident. The organisation also expressed condolences to the family and the wider skydiving community.
The incident follows two other skydiving fatalities at the same location in June last year, when Belinda Taylor, 48, and Adam Harrison, 30, died while jumping near the aerodrome.
