Honiton skydiving tragedy on Friday 13th ends with parachute failure and two deaths
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
A tandem skydive at Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton ended in devastation on Friday, 13th June, when 48-year-old Belinda Taylor from Totnes and her 30-year-old instructor Adam Harrison from Bournemouth tragically lost their lives after their parachute failed to deploy during a 15,000ft jump.
The pair, who were the last group to jump that day, were found together in a nearby field around 1.00pm. Police and emergency services arrived shortly afterwards.
Belinda, a devoted mother of four and grandmother to two, worked as a massage therapist and volunteered at a local food bank. Those who knew her remember her as a “caring, giving person” with a “heart of gold” and an adventurous spirit.
Her partner, Scott Armstrong, had bought the skydive experience for her as a gift.
He told the Mirror: “Belinda was my absolute world. She was so kind and giving and would do anything for anyone. My nine-year-old son recently came to live with us and she welcomed him with open arms and was brilliant.”
Scott described Belinda as “an absolute nutcase who just loved adventures” and recalled how excited she was about the jump. Initially booked for a 7,000ft jump, she changed her mind at the last minute, opting for the full 15,000ft experience.
“She was absolutely buzzing about it. I paid the extra money. They were the last group to go up. I was using binoculars and saw them all jump and noticed that one chute hadn’t opened. I was freaking out,” he said.
“I jumped in my car with my lad and raced across the fields. I found Belinda and the instructor lying there, still together, both clearly dead. It was a horrific sight. I miss her so much. I’m so lost without her. She meant the world to all of us and we’ll never forget her.”
Belinda’s eldest son, Connor Bowles, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life. We would like to ask for peace and privacy during this time whilst we grieve our loss and remember our mum as we should do.”
Her 20-year-old son, Elias Baaklini, a business student from London, described the accident as “just a tragedy that she went off to have fun, do something she'd never done before, experience something new and we lost her”.
He added: “I think when you go on these types of things, it’s not what you’re expecting, especially now with the safety measures they have. It’s such an unlucky thing to happen. We just want to know what happened, the cause of it.”
Restaurant owner Bachir Baaklini, who shares two children with Belinda, said the family is seeking “justice” and hopes to ensure “no-one else dies the same way as she died”.
Belinda’s sister, Michelle Gaffney, described her as “such a fun-loving woman, with a heart of gold and a brilliant sense of humour”.
Michelle added: “She was a wonderful mother and raised four beautiful children. Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with the family of Adam Harrison as well - he and they are also in our hearts.”
Friends also paid tribute. Chloe Grantham said: “She was amazing, she cared about everybody. She always put others before herself and she was a wonderful mother. I’ll always take her with me in my heart. I love her to bits.”
Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, the instructor on the jump, was also killed in the incident. The tandem skydive involved the instructor being attached by a harness to the participant, with the instructor controlling the jump, freefall and parachute deployment.
Skydive Buzz, the company operating the jump, released a statement saying: “We are heartbroken to confirm that an incident occurred on Friday, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and everyone affected by this devastating event.”
“As per standard procedure, the relevant authorities were contacted immediately, and the appropriate investigation protocols were initiated without delay. A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now investigate the accident.”
The company added: “Safety is, and always has been, our top priority. We are fully cooperating with the investigation and continue to uphold the highest possible standards in everything we do.”
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the skydivers died at the scene and that enquiries are ongoing alongside British Skydiving and East Devon District Council’s Environmental Health and Safety Office.
A police spokesperson said: “If anyone has information which may assist us, please call 101 or report via our website quoting log 50250150193.”
The Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of the incident but could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation. “We will work closely with the relevant authorities to understand what happened and are awaiting the report into the incident,” a spokesperson added.
As the community grapples with the shock, charities due to participate in upcoming skydives with Skydive Buzz have suspended their events.
Devon in Sight, whose “Jump for Sight” fundraiser was scheduled for Saturday, 21st June, issued a statement: “In view of this tragic news, our events planned for Saturday, 21st June, Wednesday, 25th June and Saturday, 5th July, are suspended pending investigation.”
CEO Grahame Flynn said: “Having undertaken two skydive challenges in 2018 and 2022, I know how meticulous the team at Skydive Buzz are in their training. At this time our thoughts are with the instructor and student who lost their lives and their families, friends and colleagues.”
The Dunkeswell Aerodrome, a former RAF site located in the Blackdown Hills near Devon’s border with Somerset, is claimed to be the highest licensed airfield in the UK at 839ft above sea level.
In addition to skydiving, the aerodrome also offers Spitfire flight tours, wing-walking experiences, and flight training. Prior to this tragic incident, the site had maintained a strong record for both flight operations and public safety.
( Photos depict previous successful jumps and are displayed as PR and marketing material on the ‘X’ social media platform @SkydiveBuzzLtd 📸 )