A 49-year-old man tragically lost his life in a skydiving accident at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon, the same site where two others died during a similar incident last year. Emergency services were called to the airfield near Honiton shortly before 1 pm on Saturday, February 28, following reports of concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have informed the deceased’s family, and an ongoing investigation is being carried out by the relevant agencies, with scene guards still in place.
Dunkeswell Airfield is known for its previous fatal incident on June 13, 2025, where tandem skydivers Adam Harrison, 30, a student and instructor from Bournemouth, and Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon, both died instantly when their parachutes failed to deploy. Following that tragedy, the jump operator, Skydive Buzz Ltd, ceased trading in August. A new operator, Skydive South West, formed by former Skydive Buzz staff, resumed operations at the same location.
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This latest fatality marks another somber chapter in the airfield’s history, emphasizing the inherent risks of skydiving and the importance of thorough investigations to improve safety standards.