A MULTI-agency investigation was underway this week after two people died while making the UK’s highest tandem parachute jump over Dunkeswell Aerodrome, on the Blackdown Hills.

Skydiving instructor Adam Harrison, aged 30, and his pupil Belinda Taylor, aged 48, fell 15,000 feet to their deaths while making a tandem jump on Friday (June 13).

It is believed both their main and reserve parachutes failed after the pair had first experienced 60 seconds of free-fall at 125mph.

Parachuting at Dunkeswell has since been suspended as the incident is investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police, East Devon District Council environmental health officers and British Skydiving, the sport’s governing body.

Skydive Buzz, the business which operated the fatal jump, said it was ‘heartbroken’ at the ‘tragic loss of two lives’.

Skydive Buzz said it was 'fully co-operating' with an inquiry into how two skydivers died at Dunkeswell Aerodrome.
Skydive Buzz said it was 'fully co-operating' with an inquiry into how two skydivers died at Dunkeswell Aerodrome. (Tindle News)

A company statement said: “Safety is, and always has been, our top priority.

“We are fully co-operating with the investigation and continue to uphold the highest possible standards in everything we do.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and everybody affected by this devastating event.

“As per standard procedure, the relevant authorities were contacted immediately, and the appropriate investigation protocols were initiated without delay.”

Skydive Buzz offers training for skydivers ‘with no experience necessary’ to make tandem or solo jumps from 7,000, 10,000, and 15,000 feet and regularly caters for people raising funds for charities by making the leap.

Mr Harrison, from Bournemouth, was said to be an experienced instructor and had worked as a self-employed instructor for Skydive Buzz for nearly four years, having previously qualified with GoSkyDive.

General view of police and forensics teams near Dunkeswell Airfield including Skydive Buzz, where two skydivers died after a tragic accident, involving a tandem jump on Friday June 13th.
Police forensics officers have been investigating the cause of a failed tandem parachute jump in which two people died at Dunkeswell Aerodrome. PHOTO: Mark Passmore/SWNS. ( )

He was also training to be a chiropractor at the AECC University College, Bournemouth, now known as the Health Sciences University.

Mr Harrison described on social media how he had a ‘passion for skydiving’ and had previously worked in challenging outdoor activities, including as a high ropes instructor for Go Ape, and leading water and land-based activities for young people with family run business Rockley in the UK and France.

Ms Taylor, a mother of four and grandmother of two, from Totnes, was bought the tandem skydive experience as a present by her partner Scott Armstrong, who was at Dunkeswell and watched horrified through binoculars as the tragedy happened.

Mr Armstrong has since demanded answers as to how the accident could have happened.

He said on social media: “They took my world away.

“I miss you so much, you were my best friend, thank you for everything you done for me. From making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess.

“I am so lost without you. There is just so much that I do not have the words to express it.”

One woman whose husband was to have made a tandem jump immediately after the tragedy said: “He was all harnessed up ready to do the next jump when they cancelled it and evacuated the area.

“The emergency services arrived incredibly quickly.”

Devon and Cornwall Police said anybody with information should call 101, or use its website, and quote the reference number 50250150193.