Exclusive:
Police have launched an investigation after the tragic death of 24-year-old British man who was involved in a wingsuit flight accident in Switzerland
Police are investigation how a 24-year-old Brit was killed in ‘wingsuit’ flight after he crashed into a Swiss mountain.
The daredevil had successfully completed one jump – from a site named ‘The Dumpster’ – but had returned for a second when the tragedy happened. It’s the second recent fatal accident involving Brits and skydiving pursuits after two parachutists died in Devon earlier this month when their chute failed to open.
The latest tragedy took place in Switzerland when the man lost control and smashed into a cliff at 6,500 feet on Saturday and emergency services later recovered his body. Police have not yet released the man’s name as they continued to appeal for witnesses to the accident.
A Police spokesman said: ‘On Saturday three wingsuit flyers launched a jump from Mount Gitschen at around 2,400 metres above sea level in the direction of Seedorf. One of the jumpers, a 24-year-old man from the United Kingdom, deviated from the planned course shortly after take-off for reasons that are still unclear and crashed into a rocky outcrop at approximately 2,100 metres above sea level. He sustained fatal injuries.’
The flyer had previously climbed to the jump site nicknamed ‘The Dumpster’ above the village of Stechelberg The case is being investigated as part of a formal criminal inquiry, now under the leadership of the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the town of Uri is also assisting in the investigation. Wingsuit flying is a form of extreme sport related to BASE jumping. Participants use a winged jumpsuit, with fabric between the arms and legs, allowing for controlled gliding during freefall. A parachute is usually deployed toward the end of the flight for landing.
Earlier this month Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, Dorset and Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon both died following a parachuting tragedy on Friday, June 13.
According to Belinda’s boyfriend, Scott Armstrong, the pair’s parachute failed mid-air as they came plummeting 15,000ft to the ground.
Skydive Buzz, which operates from Dunkeswell Airfield where the tragedy happened, said the incident is now being investigated and that safety is its top priority. A statement from Skydive Buzz posted on Facebook said: ‘We are heartbroken to confirm that an incident occurred on Friday, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and everyone affected by this devastating event.’ The statement added: ‘A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now investigate the accident.’
