Latest news with #ConnorBowles
The Guardian
19 hours ago
- The Guardian
Family pay tribute to ‘selfless' woman after skydiving death in Devon
The son of Belinda Taylor, who died in a skydiving incident on Friday, has paid tribute to a 'selfless woman who wanted only the best for others', as her partner said he wanted answers over what went wrong. Taylor had been taking part in a tandem skydive at Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton in Devon on Friday. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 1pm, with police confirming that two skydivers had died. Her eldest son, Connor Bowles, paid tribute to the mother of three adult boys and a teenage girl, adding that she was a grandmother to two young children. He thanked the police and investigators for their support, while asking for the peace and privacy of his family to be respected at this time. Bowles said: '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.' Taylor's partner, Scott Armstrong, 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 [have] done for me. From making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess.' The identity of the other skydiver who died has not yet been disclosed. The chief executive of British Skydiving, Robert Gibson, expressed his deepest condolences to the victims' families, friends and the entire skydiving community. He added that a British Skydiving Board of Inquiry would investigate. He said: 'Once complete, a report – setting out the board's conclusions and any recommendations – will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the CAA, the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee (STC) and any other relevant authorities.' Devon and Cornwall police said that officers remained at the scene and that inquiries by relevant agencies were continuing. The force said: 'If anyone has information which may assist us, please call 101 or report via our website quoting 50250150193.'
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Heartbreaking tributes to mum-of-four killed in tragic tandem sky dive jump at Devon airfield
HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for a mum-of-four who was killed in a tragic tandem sky dive jump. Emergency services rushed to Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon on Friday but two skydivers were both pronounced dead at the scene. 5 5 5 Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that families of the skydivers had been informed and investigations into the incident were underway. Now, heartfelt tributes have poured in for two people including mum-of-four Belinda Taylor. 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 whilst we grieve our loss and remember our mum as we should do. "We would finally like to thank the police and investigators for the help they have already provided and the support that has been offered by them.' Cops asked anyone with information on the tragedy to get in touch. British Skydiving Chief executive Robert Gibson confirmed that 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 told how 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.' 5 5
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Heartbreaking tributes to mum-of-four killed in tragic tandem sky dive jump at Devon airfield
Upcoming skydiving events have been suspended while the investigation continues SKYDIVE TRAGEDY Heartbreaking tributes to mum-of-four killed in tragic tandem sky dive jump at Devon airfield Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for a mum-of-four who was killed in a tragic tandem sky dive jump. Emergency services rushed to Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon on Friday but two skydivers were both pronounced dead at the scene. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Emergency services rushed to Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon yesterday Credit: SWNS 3 Belinda Taylor sadly died after a sky dive jump Credit: facebook/scottarmstrong 3 Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed investigations into the tragedy were underway Credit: SWNS Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that families of the skydivers had been informed and investigations into the incident were underway. Now, tributes have poured in for two people including mum-of-four Belinda Taylor. 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 whilst we grieve our loss and remember our mum as we should do. "We would finally like to thank the police and investigators for the help they have already provided and the support that has been offered by them.' Cops asked anyone with information on the tragedy to get in touch. British Skydiving Chief executive Robert Gibson confirmed that 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 told how 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.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Tragedy as 'selfless' mum of four is one of two killed in horror skydiving accident
"She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life." A "selfless" mum of four is one of two people to be tragically been killed in a horror skydiving accident as her heartbroken family pay tribute. Belinda Taylor and one other died in the horror incident at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon, on Friday, June 13. The tandem jump was part of the skydiving programme from Skydive Buzz who carry out regular skydiving activities at the airfield and authorities are now probing the the full circumstances of the fall. Connor Bowles, Belinda's eldest son, spoke to DevonLive on behalf of his siblings, and said: "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 whilst we grieve our loss and remember our mum as we should do. "We would finally like to thank the police and investigators for the help they have already provided and the support that has been offered by them.' Emergency services were called to the site on June 13, following concerns for the welfare of two people, the local force confirmed in a statement. They went on to say: "It was reported that they were skydivers. They were sadly both confirmed deceased at the scene and their families have been informed. "Scene guards remain in place and enquiries are ongoing by the relevant agencies. If anyone has information which may assist us, please call 101 or report via our website quoting 50250150193." Taking to social media, many locals and some who had been at the airfield at the time of the incident posted tributes and heartfelt condolences. The partner of one of the skydivers wrote: "I want answers. Today, they took my world away. I miss you so much, you were my best friend, thank you for everything you (have) 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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Another comment said: "My heart goes out to the family and friends at this heart-breaking time. My heart also goes out to the colleagues at the Skydive Buzz I know this is also a hugely difficult time for you all aswell. "I hope everyone involved gets the professional support they need and have family and friends around to lean on in this difficult time. I am so so sorry for your losses." A third comment read: "I'm so sorry to hear this news. I've enjoyed a lot of time up at Dunkeswell watching the skydivers. Sending my condolences to everyone involved." While a fourth wrote: "This is so sad. My heart goes out to everyone that witnessed this and of course the families. "Most of my family have done a sky dive and not in a million years did I ever think it could have ended like this." In a statement issued to British Skydiving members, Chief executive Robert Gibson wrote: "Today, Friday 13 June 2025, 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 - setting out the Board's conclusions and any recommendations - 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." DevonLive has reached out to Skydive Buzz which operates out of the airfield for comment.
