Latest news with #BelindaTaylor
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to mother-of-four among two skydivers who died in 'tragic accident'
A mother-of-four was among two skydivers who died following a "tragic accident" at an airfield in Devon. Belinda Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene following Friday afternoon's incident in the area of Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton. On Facebook, her partner Scott Armstrong wrote: "I miss you so much, you were my best friend. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, from making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess. "… there's just so much that I don't have the words to express it. "I feel so lost. I don't know where home is without you." Ms Taylor's eldest son, Connor Bowles, paid tribute to a "selfless woman" who was also a grandmother to two young children. Thanking investigators for their work so far, he told DevonLive: "She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life." The identity of the second skydiver who died is yet to be made public, but their family has been informed. British Skydiving has confirmed it will be investigating the incident - with a report sent to the coroner, the Civil Aviation Authority and the police. Read more UK news:Woman to head MI6 for the first timeCost of rural crime in Wales is surging In a statement, SkydiveBuzz, which operates at the airfield, said its "deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and everyone affected by this devastating event". A spokesperson 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. "No further details will be provided at this time. We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected, including our team, during this incredibly difficult time."
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Tributes paid to mother-of-four among two skydivers who died in 'tragic accident'
Why you can trust Sky News A mother-of-four was among two skydivers who died following a "tragic accident" at an airfield in Devon. Belinda Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene following Friday afternoon's incident in the area of Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton. On Facebook, her partner Scott Armstrong wrote: "I miss you so much, you were my best friend. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, from making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess. "… there's just so much that I don't have the words to express it. "I feel so lost. I don't know where home is without you." Ms Taylor's eldest son, Connor Bowles, paid tribute to a "selfless woman" who was also a grandmother to two young children. Thanking investigators for their work so far, he told DevonLive: "She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life." The identity of the second skydiver who died is yet to be made public, but their family has been informed. British Skydiving has confirmed it will be investigating the incident - with a report sent to the coroner, the Civil Aviation Authority and the police. In a statement, SkydiveBuzz, which operates at the airfield, said its "deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and everyone affected by this devastating event". A spokesperson 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. "No further details will be provided at this time. We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected, including our team, during this incredibly difficult time."
The Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Tragic mum-of-4 who died in skydive ‘made chilling joke' before falling to her death with instructor as son shares agony
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
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Partner of woman killed in tragic skydive ‘bought her jump as gift' before ‘watching with son as she fell to death'
The partner of a mum-of-four killed in a tragic skydive jump has revealed he bought her the experience as a gift to say thank you. Emergency services rushed to Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton, Devon in the UK on Friday where Belinda Taylor and her skydiving instructor were both tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Belinda, 48, died instantly when she fell 4572 metres after her parachute failed to open. Her partner Scott Armstrong discovered her body strapped to that of her instructor on the landing strip and said they were both 'clearly dead'. Mr Armstrong bought the tandem jump as a gift for his 'adrenaline junkie' girlfriend. The devastated dad 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. 'As a thank you present I decided to buy her the tandem skydive. She was absolutely buzzing about it.' Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the skydivers' families had been informed and a probe into the incident was underway. A skydiver who jumped moments after Belinda saw the tragedy unfold from above. The person, who did not wish to be named, told The Sun they saw the parachute fail. They also saw Mr Armstrong climb into his car in a bid to try to save Belinda. They added: 'Belinda jumped out, all the safety checks were done, all the parachute checks, the handles and goggles were pulled.' The seasoned jumper said they finished the dive 'quicker than usual' after spotting the 'commotion' on the ground. The diver was then told to get away from the airfield as quickly as possible, but saw Mr Armstrong attempting to find Belinda. They added: 'Her partner jumped in his car to get to the other airfield to see what was going on. '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.' Heartfelt tributes poured in for the mum-of-four and her instructor. Belinda, who lived not far from the field, had three adult sons and a teenage daughter and was also a grandmother of two. Her eldest son Connor Bowles told DevonLive: 'On Friday, June 13, our family lost our mum Belinda Taylor. 'She was a mother of four children, three adult boys and one teenage girl, and a grandmother to two young children. 'She was a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones. 'She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life. 'We as a family would like to ask for peace and privacy during this time while we grieve our loss and remember our mum as we should do.' TRAGEDY PROBE British Skydiving Chief executive Robert Gibson confirmed a probe had been launched and his organisation was assisting authorities. 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. '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.' 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.
Times
5 hours ago
- Times
Woman and instructor die in tandem skydiving accident in Devon
A mother-of-four and her sky diving instructor have died in a tandem parachute jump as the woman's partner looked on. Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, died in the incident at an aerodrome in Devon on Friday, her family said. Emergency services were called to the scene in the vicinity of Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton 'following concerns for the welfare of two people', Devon and Cornwall Police said. The instructor who died alongside Taylor is Adam Harrison, it was reported. Harrison had worked as a skydiving instructor since September 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was also training as a chiropractic student. The two skydivers were confirmed dead at the scene, and the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry has begun an investigation. Taylor's partner, Scott Armstrong said that he saw Taylor and Harrison's bodies on the landing strip, which were 'still together'. According to him, they were both 'clearly dead'. Armstrong later revealed that he bought the tandem jump as a gift to his 'adrenaline junkie' girlfriend. 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. As a thank you present, I decided to buy her the tandem skydive. She was absolutely buzzing about it.' Police attended the scene SWNS Armstrong also wrote on social media on Sunday: 'I want answers. Today, they took my world away.' He added: 'I miss you so much, you were my best friend, thank you for everything you done for me. From making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess. 'I'm so lost without you. There's just so much that I don't have the words to express it. I feel so lost I don't know where home is without you.' Her eldest son, Connor Bowles, told Devon Live that Taylor was a mother of four children, three adult boys and one teenage girl, and a grandmother to two young children. 'She was a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones', Bowles said. 'She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life.' Witnesses who were at the site on Friday have described the scene, with one saying: 'My husband and I were there when this awful tragedy happened. 'He was all harnessed up ready to do the next jump when they cancelled it and evacuated the area.' Police are appealing for information about the incident, but said in a statement that emergency services were called at 1pm on Friday and 'it was reported that they were skydivers'. 'They were sadly both confirmed deceased at the scene and their families have been informed,' the force said. 'Scene guards remain in place and inquiries are ongoing by the relevant agencies.' Another skydiver at the airfield jumped moments after Taylor and watched helplessly from above as the tragedy unfolded. They told The Sun: 'Belinda jumped out, all the safety checks were done, all the parachute checks, the handles and goggles were pulled.' The seasoned jumper revealed that her instructor finished the dive 'quicker than usual' after noticing the 'commotion' on the ground. The diver was then told to get away from the airfield as quickly as possible, but saw Armstrong attempting to find Taylor. They said: 'Her partner jumped in his car to get to the other airfield to see what was going on. 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.' Devon in Sight, a local charity, said that it had suspended its upcoming skydiving events while the investigation was ongoing. Grahame Flynn, the charity's chief executive, 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 June 21, Wednesday June 25 and Saturday July 5 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.' Robert Gibson, British Skydiving's chief executive, confirmed that an investigation had been launched and his organisation was assisting authorities. 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. A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident. Once complete, a report will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee and any other relevant authorities. 'No further details will be provided at this time. We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected.' A spokesman for the CAA said: 'We are aware of the incident and of our thoughts are of course with the friends and family at this difficult time. 'We will work closely with the relevant authorities to understand what happened and are awaiting the report into the incident.' The incident comes weeks after a highly experienced skydiver, who had completed more than 400 previous jumps, died after her parachute did not open during a jump near the village of Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, on April 27. Jade Damarell, 32, a marketing manager, who was believed to have taken her own life, had recently split up from her husband and was living with a new boyfriend, her friends said.
