AN inquiry has been launched after two people died in a parachuting accident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome on the Blackdown Hills above Wellington.

The pair were believed to have been making a tandem jump on Friday afternoon (June 13) when something went wrong.

Dunkeswell is a popular venue for parachuting which takes place on Wednesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays almost all year round, with spectators viewing jumpers from the airfield’s Aviator coffee bar and restaurant.

It lays claim to the ‘highest tandem skydive in the UK’ and offers skydiving jumps from 7,000, 10,000, and 15,000 feet, with 15, 30, and 60 seconds of 120 mph free-fall, respectively.

Friday’s tragedy occurred at about lunchtime with the day’s scheduled parachuting activities well underway.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the force was notified shortly after 1 pm of a ‘serious incident’ involving a skydiver and the ‘relevant authorities’ were carrying out an investigation.

British Skydiving chief executive Robert Gibson said the organisation had been ‘notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives’.

Mr Gibson said: “Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends, and the entire skydiving community.

“We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected at this difficult time.”

Mr Gibson said a British Skydiving board of inquiry would investigate the tragedy.

He said: “Once complete, a report setting out the board’s conclusions and any recommendations will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the Civil Aviation Authority, the British Skydiving Safety and Training Committee, and any other relevant authorities.

“No further details will be provided at this time.”

Mr Gibson said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had previously told British Skydiving not to attend the scene of any accident where the circumstances did not involve the aircraft from which parachutists made their jump.

The HSE said where the parachutist was not injured on board the aircraft, did not contact any part of the aeroplane as they exited or endanger its safety or flight, it would be considered ‘a leisure jump’ and would be for Devon County Council to investigate.

A number of organisations advertise skydiving training courses at Dunkeswell for anybody aged 16 years or older with ‘no experience necessary’, with both tandem and solo jumps available.

Dunkeswell is the largest general aviation community in Westcountry and supports a network of aviation businesses and commercial developments on what was originally an American Naval Airforce base during the Second World War.

​At 839 feet above sea level, Dunkeswell is the UK’s highest licenced airfield.