A seasoned skydiver with over 10,000 jumps to his name tragically lost his life during a wingsuit jump at a British airfield.
Emergency services swiftly responded to Dunkeswell Aerodrome on Saturday afternoon following reports of a skydiver suffering severe injuries while wingsuiting with a companion, according to the BBC.
The skydiver, identified as 49-year-old Chas McNeil, was declared dead on-site, as confirmed by Devon and Cornwall Police.
The authorities have informed McNeil’s family of his untimely passing.
Skydive South West, the organization managing the airfield, expressed their deep sorrow in acknowledging the death of the “experienced” and “licensed” skydiver, noting he had completed “over 10,000 jumps” before the incident.
The club mentioned that McNeil was utilizing his personal parachute gear and an advanced wingsuit when the unfortunate event occurred.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends and the wider skydiving community at this incredibly difficult time. As a small, family-run drop zone, this loss has affected us profoundly and personally,” Skydive South West said.
“The UK skydiving community is close-knit, and when we lose one of our own, it is felt across the entire community.”
The club said it followed mandatory procedures by informing police and British Skydiving so authorities could carry out an independent investigation into what caused the accident.
British Skydiving confirmed the death of the “highly experienced skydiver at Dunkeswell Airfield” in a statement posted on X.
“A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident,” the organization said.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time.”
Dunkeswell Aerodrome was established as a US Navy base during World War II and later functioned as a Royal Air Force base before being converted for civilian use, according to the BBC.
The incident comes weeks after a French world champion wingsuit skydiver was killed when his parachute failed to open during a free-fall jump over Europe’s highest peak.
Pierre Wolnik, a two-time freefly world champion, died on Feb. 7 after leaping from a helicopter above the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps and free-falling for several seconds when his parachute failed to deploy.
The 37-year-old struck rocky terrain, and it took first responders hours to discover his body in Les Bossons. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wolnik, a world champion in 2022 and 2024, was a leading figure in the extreme sport and was set to represent France at the 2026 World Air Sports Federation Championships this summer.
