A COMPANY involved in a fatal parachute jump on the Blackdown Hills above Wellington has closed without notice and said it was to be compulsorily liquidated by the Official Receiver.

A parachute used in a tandem jump at Dunkeswell Aerodrome by skydiving instructor Adam Harrison, aged 30, and mother of four Belinda Taylor, aged 48, failed to properly open and the pair fell 15,000 feet to their death on June 13.

The parachuting activity was organised by Skydive Buzz, which has now placed a notice outside its premises telling people it had been ‘required to make the difficult decision to cease operations with immediate effect’.

Would-be skydivers had been posting messages on social media in recent days to complain that they had been unable to contact the company as it had stopped answering inquiries, jumps had been cancelled, and no refunds were being offered.

Skydive Buzz’s sister company WingWalk.Buzz Ltd, which also operated from Dunkeswell Airfield, has similarly closed, and a notice outside said insolvency specialist Westcotts Business Recovery LLP was helping to place it into a creditors’ voluntary liquidation.

People working for the firms will lose their jobs, but the number involved has not been disclosed.

The sole director of both companies is Jason Farrant, aged 54, who gave his occupation as a sky diving instructor.

Mr Farrant is also sole director of the Aviator coffee bar and restaurant at Dunkeswell Airfield and three other associated companies.

He said the Official Receiver should make contact with customers and creditors to provide an update on the proposed liquidation proceedings.

Mr Farrant said in the case of WingWalk.Buzz, Westcotts would be in contact with customers and creditors ‘in due course’.

In both instances Mr Farrant failed to offer any refunds for people who had already paid towards their skydiving and wing walking adventures.

Instead, he advised them to try to claim back from their credit card companies or banks, anf those with vouchers were told to contact the companies which issued them.

He also thanked staff, customers, and ‘all involved’ with the companies ‘for their support over the years’.

Mr Farrant said: “We apologise again that we have been left with little other option but to close.”

An investigation into the skydiving tragedy is underway involving Devon and Cornwall Police, East Devon District Council environmental health officers, and British Skydiving, the sport’s governing body.

Skydive Buzz previously said in a statement it was ‘fully co-operating’ with the inquiry and safety was its top priority, and a short time later said it was being allowed to continue with ‘normal skydiving operations’.

Dunkeswell Airfield said on social media on Thursday (July 24) it was aware ‘Skydive Buzz, a separate company based at our airfield’ would be entering into compulsory liquidation.

It said: “We would like to reassure all our customers and partners that this does not affect our operations.

“All other airfield activities, such as air experience flights, helicopter flights, and all other activities continue to run as normal.”