‘Highly-experienced' skydiver, 32, who died after jumping from 10,000ft ‘left suicide note' before she leapt from plane
There have been two other fatal incidents at the base in recent years
SKYDIVE 'SUICIDE' 'Highly-experienced' skydiver, 32, who died after jumping from 10,000ft 'left suicide note' before she leapt from plane
A PARACHUTIST who died after jumping from 10,000ft is believed to have left a suicide note.
Jade Damarell, 32, who had successfully completed more than 400 jumps, died instantly when she hit the ground without her chute opening.
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Jade Damarell is thought to have left a suicide note
Credit: Jade Damarell / Facebook
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Parachutist Jade had successfully completed more than 400 jumps
Credit: WNS
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Jade married solicitor James Damarell in 2019, but the couple were thought to have split
Credit: Pixel8000
As friends and colleagues paid tribute to the 'beautiful' marketing manager, her skydiving club said it appeared to be 'a deliberate act'.
Nearby farm worker Nigel Wreford, 56, added: 'I've been told by quite a few people that she knew what she was doing — she had apparently left a suicide note.'
A traumatised parachutist who jumped with Jade on her fatal fall last Sunday ran to Mr Wreford's house close to Sky-High Skydiving near Peterlee, Co Durham.
Mr Wreford added: 'My wife was here when it happened and spoke to a parachutist who was coming out of the field.
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"You can't imagine how traumatic it must have been.
"She said he was in a hell of a state. He was very incoherent. It's horrible. I can't stop thinking about the girl and her family.'
Jade studied marketing at university in Leeds before marrying solicitor James Damarell in 2019.
They lived in Yorkshire but were thought to have separated.
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At the end of last year she moved into rented digs used by enthusiasts from the Peterlee centre.
A friend of Jade's said: 'This wasn't an accident. We believe she intended to take her life, sadly.
Moment skydiver plunges to her death after BOTH main & reserve parachutes fail
"She chose not to open her parachute and she landed on her back.'
The skydiving club added in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place involving a valued member of our community.
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'All indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act taken to end her own life.'
Jade had previously persuaded her mum to complete a jump at the Peterlee centre, despite her fear of heights.
Liz Samuel, of Caerphilly, South Wales, posted pictures online and wrote: 'Such a bucket-list moment.
'Firstly watching my beautiful daughter Jade free-fly solo right before me, like a ninja.
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You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
'Just wow . . . over a minute in freefall from 15,500ft, at around 120mph. Considering my fear of heights I still can't quite believe I did it!
"This experience makes me even more proud of Jade's amazing free-fly skills.'
It is the third fatal incident at the base in recent years.
Last April videographer Sam Cornwell, 46, of Hampshire, landed on a roof at a nearby industrial estate after failing to complete a safe landing.
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Pamela Gower, 49, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, also died during a charity skydive there in 2016.
Tributes poured in for Jade, with Chris Brown posting a snap of them in a plane together. He said: 'Forever in my heart.'
Danni Willis, who worked at the centre, added: 'Such a beautiful girl inside and out.'
Durham Police said Jade was pronounced dead at the scene last Sunday morning.
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It was not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.
Governing body British Skydiving said it would investigate to help the coroner.
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