Tragic mum-of-4 who died in skydive ‘made chilling joke' before falling to her death with instructor as son shares agony

The Sun

9 hours ago

A MUM who died in a tragic skydive had joked about doing the tandem jump on unlucky Friday the 13th, her family revealed.
Belinda Taylor and her skydiving instructor both died after the jump at Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton, Devon.
6
6
They plummeted 15,000ft to the ground after their parachute and reserve failed to open.
The 48-year-old's partner Scott Armstrong was watching with binoculars, and saw one of the jumpers' parachutes had failed to open.
He rushed to the airfield and discovered Belinda's body strapped to her instructor on the landing strip.
The devastated dad said he bought the tandem jump as a gift to his "adrenaline junkie" girlfriend.
Passengers who jumped from the same plane said Belinda and her instructor were "full of smiles and jokes" before the tragedy.
Belinda's 20-year-old son Elias, who is a student in west London, said his mum had mentioned the jump was taking place on Friday the 13th in a "jokey way".
He told MailOnline: "It's kind of weird thinking about it now, but at the time obviously she was saying how the jump would take place on Friday 13th and all those things... you don't really expect what happened to happened.
"It's all still a bit of a shock. She was getting more adventurous with [Scott], kayaking and stuff, looking to have that excitement and have more fun.
"She was such a positive person. We just want answers about what happened and how it could have happened."
Scott said Belinda had been "absolutely buzzing" about the jump and said she was his "world".
Belinda, from nearby Totnes, had three adult sons and a teenage daughter and was also a grandmother of two.
Her ex-husband Bachir Baaklini - with whom she shared two children, Elias and Emily, 13 - said he wants "justice" for Belinda.
She was described as "selfless" in tributes that said she has left "an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life".
Her skydiving instructor, named by The Telegraph as Adam Harrison, was described as "wonderful" by his family.
Adam, 30, had worked as an instructor since 2020.
His sister Amy Harrison extended her condolences to Belinda's family.
She said: "Adam had built a sterling reputation as a professional instructor, and we take comfort in knowing that he would undoubtedly have done everything in his power to avert any crisis."
The tragedy is being probed by the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry.
Chief executive Robert Gibson confirmed a probe had been launched and his organisation was assisting Devon and Cornwall Police.
In a statement he said: 'Today British Skydiving has been notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives.
'Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends and the entire skydiving community.
6
6
'A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident.
'Once complete, a report will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the CAA, the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee (STC) and any other relevant authorities.
'No further details will be provided at this time. We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected at this difficult time."
A skydiver who jumped moments after Belinda saw the tragedy unfold from above.
They told The Sun they saw the parachute fail and saw Scott climb into his car in a bid to try to save Belinda.
'They weren't providing updates to the partner. He found out for himself when he saw the bodies.
'He could do nothing to save her. Everyone was visibly upset and distressed.'
Local charity Devon in Sight said it had suspended its upcoming skydiving events while the investigation was ongoing.
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.
'In view of this tragic news our events planned for Saturday 21st June, Wednesday 25th June and Saturday 5th July are suspended pending investigation.
'Our Jump for Sight Challenges have raised significant funds for our work over the years.
'At this time our thoughts are with the instructor and student who lost their lives and their families, friends and colleagues.'
Cops have asked anyone with information on the tragedy to get in touch.
6
6