A 49-year-old man has tragically lost his life following a skydiving incident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon. Police officers were dispatched to the aerodrome, located in the town of Honiton near Exeter, shortly before 1pm on Saturday.
Emergency Response and Fatal Outcome
Despite the immediate and concerted efforts of emergency services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been informed of the devastating news. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the details, stating that officers were called due to concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver.
Scene guards remain in place at the airfield, and enquiries into the incident are being conducted by relevant agencies. The police spokesperson emphasised that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Previous Incident at the Same Location
This incident occurs just months after a previous fatal skydiving accident at the same aerodrome. In June of last year, Belinda Taylor, a 48-year-old mother-of-four from Totnes, Devon, and her skydiving instructor Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, Dorset, both died during a tandem jump from 15,000 feet.
Inquests into their deaths were opened in the same month, with senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney stating that they died from multiple injuries after their parachute failed to open as expected. The coroner adjourned the hearings to allow for further inquiries, which involved multiple agencies including the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
The recent fatality has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols at the aerodrome. Dunkeswell Aerodrome and the South Western Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment regarding the latest incident.
These consecutive tragedies have cast a shadow over the skydiving community in Devon, raising questions about operational safety and regulatory oversight. The investigations aim to provide clarity and potentially prevent future occurrences.
The local community and skydiving enthusiasts are mourning the loss, as authorities work diligently to uncover the facts behind this heartbreaking event.
