A skydiver has died after a parachute failure during an Easter Monday jump at Headcorn Aerodrome in Ashford, Kent. The incident occurred at approximately 9.30am, with operator Go Skydive confirming the fatality.
Eyewitness Lucy Barrett, 53, who was preparing for a charity jump, described seeing a person fall without their parachute opening. “There are five people in our group, and we saw what looked like a person falling, and the chute did not open,” she said. Barrett added that only five of the six expected parachutes were found during a search.
Go Skydive expressed condolences and confirmed that a British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident. A spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident involving a solo club skydiver at a drop zone in Headcorn. Our thoughts are with those affected.” The inquiry will submit reports to the coroner, police, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and other authorities.
Emergency services, including Kent Police forensic teams, attended the scene, and flights were halted for the day. A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan used for skydiving had landed at 9.24am, with no further take-offs recorded. The CAA and police have been contacted for comment.
