**Devon Skydiving Tragedy: Victims Identified After Fatal Incident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome**
Two individuals who lost their lives during a skydiving accident in Devon have now been officially named by the authorities. The incident occurred last Friday at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, a site popular with skydiving enthusiasts from across the region.
Police have confirmed the victims are Belinda Taylor, aged 48, from Totnes, and Adam Harrison, aged 30, from Bournemouth. Both were pronounced dead at the scene following what has been described as a “serious incident” during their descent.
Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and air ambulance, were dispatched to the airfield at approximately 1pm on Friday, 13 June. Initial reports indicated concerns had been raised for the wellbeing of two individuals engaged in a skydiving activity.
Despite the swift response from emergency teams, neither Taylor nor Harrison could be saved. Both families were informed of the tragedy shortly after the incident. Local residents in the Dunkeswell area have since expressed deep shock and sadness, noting the tight-knit nature of the skydiving community at the airfield.
Devon and Cornwall Police, in their official statement, remarked: “Sadly, two skydivers were both confirmed deceased at the scene and their families have been informed. Enquiries remain ongoing by police, British Skydiving and East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office.” The force also indicated that a collaborative investigation was underway, involving and combining efforts from both law enforcement and skydiving regulatory bodies, to determine the circumstances leading up to the fatal event.
Forensic teams were seen at the site throughout Friday and the weekend, collecting evidence and interviewing potential witnesses. At present, the exact sequence of events that led to the deaths of Taylor and Harrison has not been disclosed. However, both the skydiving sector and safety officials have reiterated their commitment to reviewing procedures to ensure all relevant regulations and best practices are upheld moving forward.
This incident has sparked conversations within the broader skydiving and adventure sports communities about safety protocols and risk management in such high-stakes activities. While skydiving incidents remain infrequent, each occurrence tends to prompt thorough investigations aimed at both discovering the cause and recommending any improvements to preserve participant safety.
The management at Dunkeswell Aerodrome conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims. “We are deeply saddened by this event and are offering support to all those affected,” a spokesperson stated. The airfield has also signalled its full cooperation with ongoing investigations.
Community members, meanwhile, have been leaving tributes and messages of sympathy online, with many remembering Taylor and Harrison as passionate about their hobby and generous in sharing their enthusiasm with others. Vigils and memorial tributes are reportedly being considered by members of local and regional skydiving clubs.
As the investigation continues, further details about the cause of the tragedy are expected in the coming days. For now, the focus remains on supporting those impacted by the loss and ensuring that lessons are learnt to prevent similar incidents in the future.