AN “EXPERIENCED” skydiver with over 10,000 jumps has become the third to die at an airfield in nine months.

The 49-year-old was sadly pronounced dead at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, near Honiton, in Devon at 1pm on Saturday.

3
Emergency services were called to Dunkeswell Aerodrome, near Honiton, in Devon at 1pm on SaturdayCredit: SWNS
 

3
A 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the sceneCredit: SWNS
His death marks the third at the airfield in the past nine months after another tragedy in June last year.

Mum-of-four Belinda Taylor, 48, and instructor Adam Harrison, 30, lost their lives when their parachute failed to open.

The pair fell 15,000ft during a tandem jump and were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Skydive Southwest, which operates out of Dunkeswell, has claimed the 49-year-old victim of Saturday’s horror was an “experienced” and “licensed” skydiver.

He was also a wingsuit coach with over 10,000 jumps on his record.

A witness claimed on social media the skydiver had missed his landing area.

They alleged: “I was at Dunkeswell shortly after it happened today and saw the emergency response.

“Landed in a wooded area next to the airfield and missed the landing area.”

Another witness reported: “Unfortunately it happened right behind me by a few hundred metres. Air ambulance landed briefly. Very sad and upsetting.”

A Skydive Southwest spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that an experienced licensed skydiver and 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.”

In a statement on social media, British Skydiving added: “British Skydiving can confirm that a fatal incident occurred yesterday involving a highly experienced skydiver at Dunkeswell Airfield.

“A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time.”

Dunkeswell Aerodrome was contacted for comment.

3
His death marks the third in nine months at the aerodromeCredit: SWNS