Skydiver dies in UK after 'parachute fails to open' as police investigate 'unexplained death'

Police are investigating the 'unexplained' death of a skydiver who was killed after jumping out of a plane at Headcorn Aerodrome.

Onlookers have told of their horror after realising what they thought was an object falling from the sky was actually a human being.

Emergency services rushed to the aerodrome in Ashford, Kent, at around 10am on Monday (6 April) morning after tragedy struck in the skies.

A host of people who were spending the day skydiving said they have been left 'traumatised' by what they witnessed.

Cops were seen combing the nearby fields shortly before staff at Headcorn Aerodrome located the body of the unnamed man, who was in his 50s.

Kent Police later confirmed he had passed away, with a spokesperson telling LADbible in a statement: "Officers attended the scene where a man in his 50s was confirmed to be deceased.

"His next of kin has been informed. The death is currently being treated as unexplained and an investigation into the circumstances is underway in liaison with British Skydiving. A report has been completed for the coroner."

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Only a few details have been shared about the deadly incident so far, although eyewitnesses have spoken out about what they claim to have seen unfold.

Mother-of-three Lucy Barrett was waiting for her turn to skydive when she 'saw what looked like a person falling' and claimed that it appeared that the man's parachute 'did not open'.

"We were the next jump, and I was trying to get in the right headspace to jump," the 53-year-old said. "I did not believe that it had happened. I was trying to keep myself composed.

"There was a woman who was really upset about it, and we were trying to calm her down. There was a search, and they only found five of the six parachutes that should have been there.

"It was after that we were told there had been a fatality and that the jump would not be going ahead. We weren't told who had died, but what I gathered it was a man who had around 10 years of experience in skydiving."

Barrett said her 22-year-old son 'had seen and heard the whole thing', adding: "He has been impacted by it. My son was watching from the spectator's section and saw the person hit the ground and the parachute open with the impact. Another person in my group was getting hysterical because she saw what happened."

Skydiving firm GoSkydive, which operates at the airfield, said the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will be conducting an investigation into the man's death.

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"We are aware of the fatality that has taken place at Headcorn Aerodrome," a spokesperson for GoSkydive told LADbible.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the individual involved, their family, and all those affected by this tragic incident.

"We would like to express our sincere thanks to all emergency services, air support, and on-site personnel for their swift and professional response, as well as to the ground teams that assisted.

"The incident involved a solo skydiver participating in sport parachuting activity. This type of activity operates independently of GoSkydive’s operations, which are focused exclusively on tandem skydiving experiences.

"A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident and, when completed, will submit reports to the Coroner, the Police, the CAA, British Skydiving and any other relevant authorities.

"The report will include the Board’s conclusions and will, if appropriate, make recommendations.

"GoSkydive has been operating for over 18 years as a specialist tandem skydiving provider and maintains an exemplary safety record within this discipline.

"In accordance with established procedures, this matter is currently undergoing a formal process led by British Skydiving and the police. Whilst this process is ongoing, we are unable to provide any further information. We will continue to cooperate fully with the relevant authorities and respectfully request privacy for those affected."

The firm says it offers an 'unforgettable adventure in the picturesque landscapes of Kent' to customers skydiving at Headcorn Aerodrome.

"Boasting top-notch facilities and a team of experienced instructors, we prioritise safety without compromising the thrill," GoSkydive's website states.