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Daily Mail
28-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Skydiving firm closes for good after mother plunged 15,000ft to her death with instructor during tandem jump
The skydiving company where a mum and her instructor plunged to their deaths has announced it has ceased trading. Skydive Buzz Ltd, based at Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton, Devon, told customers it is going into compulsory liquidation. The company arranged a tandem parachute jump which went catastrophically wrong, leading to the deaths of Belinda Taylor, 48, and her instructor Adam Harrison, 30, on Friday, June 13. Adam Harrison, 30, a student and skydive instructor, from Bournemouth, Dorset, and Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon, died in a skydiving accident after their parachute did not open as expected on Friday, June 13. A statement on Sky Buzz website said: 'It is with regret that the director have been required to make the difficult decision to cease operations with immediate effect. 'It is proposed that the Company be placed into Compulsory Liquidation in due course. The Official Receiver should be in contact with creditors and customers to provide an update regarding the closure of the Company and the proposed Liquidation proceedings. 'We would like to thank our staff, customers and all involved with Sky Dive Buzz for their support over the years and apologise again that we have been left with little other option but to close.' In a social media post, Dunkeswell Aerodome said: 'We would like to thank our staff, customers and all involved with Sky Dive Buzz for their support over the years and apologise again that we have been left with little other option but to close.' Inquests have been opened into the tragic deaths of Belinda and Adam. In recent weeks the company had stopped answering calls and customers said bookings had been cancelled, The Sun reported. One customer said they have lost £550 after paying for three skydives which have now been cancelled. They sadi: 'We have contacted the voucher company that we got them from and because it's been over two years since we bought the vouchers (because our skydives have been cancelled three times now since 2023) we won't be getting our money back apparently. 'I have always found them very helpful when the sky dives have been cancelled. 'They have always been very accommodating so it's very frustrating to find out that this is basically now just lost money.' Another customer said their skydive in July was cancelled due to the weather, but have been unable to re-book since. Skydive Buzz has insisted that the closure is due to financial reasons alone. The company has not confirmed how many jobs will be lost as a result of the closure. Mr Harrison's loved ones described him as 'the most wonderful and talented self-driven man'. The 30-year-old had been lining up a new profession, one he tragically said was set to provide him with 'a bright future'. While continuing his 'passion' as a self-employed sky dive instructor, Mr Harrison had been attending AECC University College in Bournemouth as a full-time 'Chiropractic Student'. His family yesterday said he was 'on the brink of qualifying' and embarking on the new career. Paying tribute to their 'beloved son, brother, uncle and friend', they added: 'He showed everyone that you could do anything if you work hard enough. 'We love you, Adam, more than you know. You were a hero to your nieces and nephews and we will never stop thinking about you. '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.' Mr Harrison joined GoSkydive in July 2017, where he learned to 'pack parachutes, harness and entertain customers' before being promoted to an instructor after years of training. He then left to take up a self-employed role at Skydive Buzz, in September 2021. Advertising the 15,000ft jump, the website reads: 'Once in a lifetime experience? Ticking the bucket list? Jumping for charity? Whatever your reason, if you can afford too; jump from the ultimate altitude! No-one jumps from higher in the UK!' Ms Taylor's son, Elias, 20, told how his mother had been becoming more 'adventurous' after meeting her new boyfriend Scott Armstrong, who brought the jump for her as a present. The university student who lives in west London also revealed that she had been making jokes about making the jump on Friday the 13th, a date which often prompts superstitions. He said: 'She really just put everyone above herself. It's really difficult for (younger sister) Emily as she was the one living there with mum. 'I spoke to her a week before it happened. 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. 'She was mentioning it in a jokey way. 'It's all still a bit of a shock. Recently she had (boyfriend) Scott and two of his kids, and looked after them. She was getting more adventurous with him, kayaking and stuff, looking to have that excitement and have more fun. 'She talked for ages and ages, and always wanted to have a chat. She was such a positive person.' He added: 'We just want answers about what happened and how it could have happened. 'We want as much information as possible, we feel like it would help us be at peace.' Grieving partner Mr Armstrong has demanded information about what caused the tragedy, which is now being probed by the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry. Ms Taylor's ex-husband Bachir Baaklini was also in tears as he described wanting 'justice' for Ms Taylor, with whom he shares two biological children, Elias and Emily, 13. Speaking at his family home in west London, Mr Baaklini told MailOnline: 'We want her to rest in peace but we need justice. 'This should not have happened. We have got to know why the kids lost their mum.' Mr Armstrong revealed how he watched in horror as it happened - after buying her the jump as a present. He wrote on social media: 'I want answers. 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.' He has also described buying the sky dive jump experience for Ms Taylor, also a grandmother-of-two, as a 'thank you' gesture - and witnessed what happened alongside his nine-year-old son. He told the Mirror: 'The plan was to do a 7,000ft jump, but at the last minute she said she wanted to do a 15,000ft one, so I paid the extra money. They were the last group to go up. '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. She was an adrenaline junkie and an adventurer. She'd done kayaking and all sorts.' Belinda's eldest son Connor Bowles also gave a tribute to his mother. He 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.' Ms Taylor had three adult sons and a teenage daughter, as well as welcoming Mr Armstrong's nine-year-old son.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- BBC News
Instructor killed in Devon tandem skydive had 'heart of gold'
A skydiving instructor who died during a tandem jump had a way of "turning ordinary days into unforgettable adventures", his family Harrison was killed when the parachute he was using during a tandem skydive with 48-year-old mother-of-four Belinda Taylor failed to open at Devon's Dunkeswell Aerodrome on 13 a tribute, relatives said the 30-year-old "lived with a fullness and brightness that most can only aspire to" and their hearts were aching following his were opened on Tuesday into the deaths of Mr Harrison and Ms Taylor and investigations by police, East Devon District Council and governing body British Skydiving are ongoing. The tribute said Mr Harrison, who had also worked as an instructor at Go Ape and was a student at Bournemouth's Health Sciences University, was "everyone's cheerleader" and had a sharp wit and a heart of gold."Adam loved deeply and was deeply loved in return," his family said."He had a way of making each person feel seen and valued." Mr Harrison's family said he was always chasing joy and approached everything he loved with passion. They added that he was building a life with his girlfriend Chelsea which promised to be filled with "promise, joy and a love that was felt by everyone around them".His family said: "There's so much sorrow in losing you - so much life left unlived, love left unspoken, future left undone."But we carry you with us. In every laugh. Every story. Every tiny moment that reminds us of your warmth, your mischief, your heart." Mr Harrison and Ms Taylor, who lived in Totnes, were strapped together when the incident the opening of the inquests, senior coroner Philip Spinney said the bodies of Mr Harrison and Ms Taylor were found in a field near the aerodrome after their parachute did not open as added that they died as a result of the injuries they sustained from the fall.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Devon skydiving deaths: Coroner says parachute failed to open
Two people died when their parachute failed to open during a tandem skydive, a coroner has were opened on Tuesday into the deaths of skydiving instructor Adam Harrison and Belinda Taylor, who was strapped to him, during the incident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, near Honiton, Devon, on 13 the hearing in Exeter, senior coroner Philip Spinney said Mr Harrison, 30, and Ms Taylor, 48, suffered multiple injuries when they crashed to the ground after a parachute the pair were using during the skydive, from 15,000ft (4.6km), did not coroner adjourned the hearing to a later date while investigations, including one by British Skydiving, into the deaths are carried out. During the hearing, Mr Spinney said Ms Taylor was strapped to Mr Harrison on what was her first said mother-of-four Ms Taylor, who lived in Totnes, Devon, was divorced, partially sighted and not Harrison, of Bournemouth, Dorset, was a single student and a skydiving instructor by occupation, the coroner Spinney said: "The parachute did not open as expected and they died as a consequence of the injuries sustained in the fall."Mr Spinney added Mr Harrison and Ms Taylor's bodies were found in a field near the aerodrome in east Devon. Tributes paid to Ms Taylor, who been bought the skydive by her partner Scott Armstrong, described her as an "adrenaline junkie" and an "absolute nutcase who just loved adventures".A tribute from Bournemouth's Health Sciences University, where Mr Harrison was a master of chiropractic student, said his "warmth, openness and positivity touched the lives of all who knew and worked with him".Devon and Cornwall Police said inquiries, which involved governing body British Skydiving and East Devon District Council, were ongoing.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS 'Adrenaline junkie' mother died on her first skydive alongside instructor when their 'parachute did not open as expected', inquest hears
A mother described as an 'adrenaline junkie' died on her first skydive - alongside her instructor - when their parachute failed to open as expected, an inquest has heard. Skydive instructor Adam Harrison and Belinda Taylor, who was strapped to him on her first jump, died when the parachute failed to open and they crashed to the ground. Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney said they died from multiple injuries, with their bodies found in a field near the Dunkeswell airfield in east Devon on June 13. The Exeter hearing was told mum of four Belinda, 48, was taking part in a tandem parachute jump when she and her instructor exited the aircraft for the freefall jump. Mr Spinney said: 'The parachute did not open as expected and they died as a consequence of the injuries sustained in the fall.' He said investigations into the deaths continue and the inquests were adjourned. Mr Spinney said London-born Belinda, of Totnes, Devon, was divorced, partially sighted and not employed. He said 30-year-old Adam, of Bournemouth, was a single student and a skydiving instructor by occupation. The couple had jumped from 15,000ft when the incident happened. Belinda was described by friends as an 'adrenaline junkie' and had been bought the skydive by her partner Scott Armstrong. A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry is investigating the accident alongside the police, council and Civil Aviation Authority. The coroner adjourned the hearings to a later date as inquiries continue.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- The Sun
Tragic final moments revealed after mum-of-four fell to her death with instructor in tandem skydive
THE tragic final moments of a mum-of-four who died in a skydive with her instructor have been revealed at an inquest today. Belinda Taylor was taking part in the tandem jump with Adam Harrison when the horror took place. 3 3 The 48-year-old's partner, who watched the tragedy unfold, had bought the skydive as a gift for "adrenaline junkie" Belinda. An inquest opening heard today how both Belinda and Adam, 30, suffered multiple injuries. Their bodies were discovered in a field near the Dunkeswell airfield in Devon on June 13. Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney said the pair had exited the aircraft for the 1,500ft freefall jump strapped together. He added: "The parachute did not open as expected and they died as a consequence of the injuries sustained in the fall." The coroner adjourned the inquest until a later date while inquiries continue. It was previously revealed that other skydivers had seen Belinda "full of smiles and jokes" before the tragedy. Her son Elias, 20, said his mum had mentioned the jump was taking place on Friday the 13th in a "jokey way". While partner Scott Armstrong revealed she had been "absolutely buzzing" about the jump. Paying tribute, he added: "She was a lovely person, she was my best friend. She was an absolute nutcase who just loved adventures." Belinda, from nearby Totnes, had three adult sons and a teenage daughter and was also a grandmother of two. A probe by police, British Skydiving and East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office is ongoing. The Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of the incident but could not comment any further due to it being an active investigation. 3
