Additional reporting by Joe Crossley
It has been confirmed that a skydiver in his 50s died yesterday after jumping from a plane.
Details around the circumstances remain unclear, but an eyewitness and the skydiving company concerned have confirmed a fatality happened at Headcorn Aerodrome.
Emergency services have been called to Headcorn Aerodrome. Picture: Submitted
Lucy Barrett told KentOnline she was one of five people who witnessed what she thought was a “person falling” without their parachute opening.
The 53-year-old, who lives near Burgess Hill in Sussex, was preparing herself for her skydive at 9.30am when she was told by operators, Go Skydive, that it had been cancelled due to a fatality.
She was jumping in aid of a brain tumour charity for the 40th anniversary of her sister’s death, which was caused by cancer.
The mum-of-three said: “There are five people in our group, and we saw what looked like a person falling, and the chute did not open.
“We were the next jump, and I was trying to get in the right headspace to jump. I did not believe that it had happened. I was trying to keep myself composed.
“There was a woman who was really upset about it, and we were trying to calm her down.
Forensics officers from Kent Police at Headcorn Aerodrome on Easter Monday after an incident at the airfield. Picture: Louis Walker/KentOnline
“There was a search, and they only found five of the six parachutes that should have been there.
“It was after that we were told there had been a fatality and that the jump would not be going ahead.
“We weren’t told who had died, but what I gathered it was a man who had around 10 years of experience in skydiving.
“When I spoke to my 22-year-old son, he told me he had seen and heard the whole thing. He has been impacted by it.
“The police turned up and took witness statements, including one from my son.”
A spokesman for Go Skydive said: “We are aware of an incident involving a solo club skydiver at a drop zone in Headcorn. Our thoughts are with those affected.
Emergency services have been called to Headcorn Aerodrome. Picture: Submitted
“We would like to express our sincere thanks to all emergency services and on-site teams for their swift and professional response, as well as to the ground staff who are assisting at this time.
“A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident and, when completed, will submit reports to the coroner, the police, the CAA, British Skydiving and any other relevant authorities.
“The report will include the board’s conclusions and will, if appropriate, make recommendations.
“At this stage, we are unable to provide any further information.
“We will continue to cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and will provide updates if and when it is appropriate to do so.”
Flights were halted throughout the day on Easter Monday as emergency services were called to the aerodrome.
Forensics officers from Kent Police at Headcorn Aerodrome on Easter Monday after an incident at the airfield. Picture: Louis Walker/KentOnline
Forensic teams from Kent Police were at the scene late into the evening.
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan plane – known as Logan in the flying community – was seen on Flightradar leaving the aerodrome at 8.36am.
It is known to be used for skydiving and parachuting activities, and it landed again at 9.24am, with no aircraft taking off or landing at the site since, according to the flight-tracking site.
Pictures showed groups of people gathered on the apron of the airfield and in nearby fields, including the aerodrome’s fire and rescue vehicle.
A police spokesman has confirmed the force was called at 10.05am following a report that the body of a parachutist had been located near the aerodrome.
Officers attended the scene where a man in his 50s was confirmed to be deceased – his next of kin has been informed.
The death is currently being treated as unexplained and an investigation into the circumstances is underway in liaison with British Skydiving.
A report has been completed for the coroner.
The ambulance service and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have also been contacted for comment.