Sky News: 49-year-old man dies after skydive at Dunkeswell Aerodrome
A 49-year-old man has died after taking part in a skydive at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon, and sky news coverage notes police were called to the airfield just before 1pm on Saturday 28 February. The death has prompted an on-site police presence and an ongoing inquiry.
Police called to Dunkeswell Aerodrome just before 1pm on Saturday 28 February
Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to Dunkeswell Aerodrome, near Honiton, at about 13: 00 GMT on Saturday 28 February following concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver. Emergency services attended the scene and the 49-year-old man was confirmed deceased; his family have been informed. The force said officers remain at the scene and inquiries into what happened are ongoing.
Emergency response and scene security
Police and ambulances attended Dunkeswell Aerodrome at about 13: 00 GMT on Saturday, and police are guarding the scene while enquiries continue. The initial message from the force stated: "Police were called to Dunkeswell Aerodrome just before 1pm today, Saturday 28 February, following concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver. Emergency services attended the scene, where sadly a 49-year-old man was confirmed deceased. His family have been informed. "
Previous fatal tandem jump at the same airfield in June 2025
The incident comes less than a year after two people died during a tandem jump close to Dunkeswell. On 13 June 2025, skydiving instructor Adam Harrison, 30, and Belinda Taylor, 48, who was strapped to him, died when their parachute failed to open. Harrison was from Bournemouth and Taylor was from Totnes, Devon; both suffered multiple injuries after a skydive from 15, 000ft (4. 6km). The skydiving company that organised that tandem jump later went into administration.
Dunkeswell Aerodrome’s location, history and activities
The Dunkeswell Aerodrome is a former RAF site located in the Blackdown Hills area of Devon, close to the county's border with Somerset. The aerodrome's website describes the site as having been originally built to be a US naval base during World War Two, and it is claimed to be the highest licensed airfield in the UK at 839ft (256m) above sea level. Alongside skydiving, the site advertises activities including Spitfire flight tours, wing-walking, flight training for aircraft and helicopter training.
What officials have said and how the inquiry is proceeding
Police confirmed the timeline of the call-out as just before 1pm on Saturday 28 February and have said enquiries are ongoing at the aerodrome. Emergency services attended and the man's family have been told. The presence of officers at the scene and the statement from the force indicate the matter remains under active investigation.
Sky news has covered both the latest death and the earlier June 2025 tandem-jump fatalities at Dunkeswell, which remain a reference point as investigators examine the circumstances of the weekend incident.
