Skydiving community urged to avoid speculation after wingsuit jump death
Skydive South West calls for kindness as investigation takes place
Skydive South West has released a statement following the death of a skydiver during a wingsuit jump at Dunkeswell Aerodrome.
The skydiver, a 49-year-old man, was an experienced licensed skydiver and wingsuit coach with over 10,000 jumps logged.
Emergency services were called to the aerodrome at around 1pm on Saturday, and the skydiver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Skydive South West expressed their condolences and urged the community to avoid speculation as investigations are underway.
A spokesperson for Skydive Southwest said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that an experienced licensed skydiver & wingsuit coach with over 10,000 jumps logged, tragically lost their life whilst carrying out a Wingsuit Jump with a friend, using his personal parachute equipment and an advanced Wingsuit.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends, and the wider skydiving community at this incredibly difficult time. As a small, family-run drop zone, this loss has affected us profoundly and personally. The UK skydiving community is close-knit, and when we lose one of our own, it is felt across the entire community.
"The club, as required by all clubs affiliated to the governing body British Skydiving, followed set procedures by contacting the Police and British Skydiving so they could carry out their independent investigation as to the cause of the accident. Our staff continue to assist British Skydiving and Police providing all the information they require.
"We would respectfully ask that people refrain from speculation. Public conjecture can quickly lead to misinformation being shared, which is deeply distressing for the family, friends, and those directly affected.
"In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be kind.
"Our focus right now is on supporting the family, our staff, and our community as we process this loss."
Mother-of-four Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, Dorset, died while skydiving in the area of Dunkeswell Aerodrome in June last year.
The site is located in the Blackdown Hills and advertises activities including skydiving, wing walking and helicopter training.