Man, 49, dies following skydive at aerodrome in Devon

Man, 49, dies following skydive at aerodrome in Devon
Source: Daily Mail Online

A 49-year-old man has died following a skydive at an aerodrome in Devon.

Police officers rushed to Dunkeswell Aerodrome, in the town of Honiton, near Exeter, just before 1pm on Saturday.

But despite the best efforts of emergency services, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been told.

Guards remain in place at the site on the airfield and investigations are ongoing.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police were called to Dunkeswell Aerodrome just before 1pm today, Saturday 28 February, following concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver.
'Emergency Services attended the scene, where sadly a 49-year-old man was confirmed deceased. His family have been informed.
'Scene guards remain in place currently, and enquiries are ongoing into the incident by the relevant agencies.'

Dunkeswell Aerodrome and South Western Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.

It comes just months after Belinda Taylor (pictured), 48, and her skydiving instructor Adam Harrison, 30, both died in a tandem jump from 15,000ft at the same airfield.

Inquests into the pair's deaths opened that same month, with senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney saying they died from multiple injuries after their parachute failed to open.

It comes just months after a 'selfless' mother-of-four and her skydiving instructor both died in a tandem jump from 15,000ft at the same airfield.

Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, Dorset, passed away after the jump in June last year.

Police, the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry, the Civil Aviation Authority and the council quickly launched an investigation.

And inquests into the pair's deaths opened that same month.

Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney said they died from multiple injuries, with their bodies found in a field near the aerodrome in east Devon on June 13.

The Exeter hearing was told Ms Taylor was taking part in a tandem parachute jump when she and her instructor exited the aircraft for the freefall dive.

Mr Spinney said: 'The parachute did not open as expected and they died as a consequence of the injuries sustained in the fall.'

The coroner adjourned the hearings to a later date as inquiries continue.