Man, 49, killed in skydiving accident at same facility where two died last year

A man has died in a skydiving accident at an airfield in Devon.

The 49-year-old was confirmed dead at the scene, at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in the Blackdown Hills southwest of Taunton.

Emergency services were called just before 1pm on Saturday.

A spokesperson for Devon & Cornwall Police confirmed the man’s family has been informed.

They added: ‘Scene guards remain in place currently, and enquiries are ongoing into the incident by the relevant agencies.’

The incident comes just months after two people lost their lives while attempting a ‘tandem jump’ at Dunkeswell Aerodrome.

Skydiving instructor Adam Harrison and Belinda Taylor, who was strapped to him, died when their parachute did not open after they jumped from 15,000 feet.

Ms Taylor, a 48-year-old mother-of-four, was described as an ‘absolute nutcase who just loved adventures’ by her partner Scott Armstrong, who bought her the experience.

He told BBC News: ‘She was a lovely person, she was my best friend.’

Mr Harrison, 30, was a master of chiropractic student at Bournemouth’s Health Sciences University.

Inquests into their deaths were opened last June, with the hearing adjourned while further investigations were carried out by bodies including British Skydiving.

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