Latest news with #AdamHarrison
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Skydiving company closes for good after mum-of-four fell to her death with instructor in tandem skydive
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE SKYDIVING company where a mum and her instructor plunged to their deaths has announced it has ceased trading - leaving punters hundreds of pounds out of pocket. Skydive Buzz Ltd, based at Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton, Devon, has told customers that the firm is to be put into compulsory liquidation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Belinda Taylor was killed in a skydive jump Credit: facebook/scottarmstrong 3 Her instructor also died in the horror 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. The pair died in a field after their parachutes failed to open. A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry is investigating. In recent weeks the company had stopped answering calls and customers said bookings had been cancelled. Now Skydive Buzz has sent an email to those customers informing them of its decision. The letter, sent out on Thursday, July 24, says: "It is with regret that the directors 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." One customer said she is currently £550 out of pocket after paying for three skydives. She said: '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: "We were due to skydive Sunday, July 6 but it was cancelled due to weather. Brit SAS hero killed in parachute crash in South Africa at skydiving contest "They sent us a link to re-book but they had nothing else available the week we were in Devon. "We emailed them twice whilst we were there but no reply. Also tried calling once home. "Then I checked the website and Facebook page and noticed it was no longer there. "Luckily we booked through Virgin who have offered vouchers or a refund so money wise we are ok." Other customers include Marie Neal who was due to jump earlier this month having raised thousands of pounds for St Luke's Hospice in memory of her dad who was struck down with Hodgkin's Disease and died aged 57. Prior to receiving the email from the company, she said: "I have a lot of people that have sponsored me and St Luke's are waiting for their money but Buzz Skydiving seems to have disappeared." In the aftermath of the tragedy Skydive Buzz announced its intention to continue. It says the closure is due to financial reasons alone. A number of jobs will be lost but the company has not said how many. In its email the company has offered some advice to those with vouchers. It says: "It is advisable to contact the voucher company in the first instance (i.e. Virgin, Red Letter Days, Into the Blue, etc) to progress potential refunds. "Customers paying by credit card may be entitled to a refund through Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, subject to certain conditions. "Customers paying by debit card may be able to request a chargeback through their bank, subject to certain conditions. "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, who lived in Totnes, and Adam, who lived in Bournemouth, Dorset. Belinda was a participant in the tandem skydive, with Adam as her instructor. The pair exited the aircraft and began the freefall, the inquest heard. The parachute did not open as expected and they died of injuries sustained in the fall. Belinda's partner Scott Armstrong spoke of his heartbreak after she died. Scott had bought Belinda the skydive as a "thank you" present, he said, after she let his nine-year-old son move into their home. Belinda had never jumped from an aircraft before, but was described as an adrenaline junkie who would try anything once.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Skydiving company closes for good after mum-of-four fell to her death with instructor in tandem skydive
THE SKYDIVING company where a mum and her instructor plunged to their deaths has announced it has ceased trading - leaving punters hundreds of pounds out of pocket. Skydive Buzz Ltd, based at Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton, Devon, has told customers that the firm is to be put into compulsory liquidation. 3 3 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. The pair died in a field after their parachutes failed to open. A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry is investigating. In recent weeks the company had stopped answering calls and customers said bookings had been cancelled. Now Skydive Buzz has sent an email to those customers informing them of its decision. The letter, sent out on Thursday, July 24, says: "It is with regret that the directors 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." One customer said she is currently £550 out of pocket after paying for three skydives. She said: '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: "We were due to skydive Sunday, July 6 but it was cancelled due to weather. Brit SAS hero killed in parachute crash in South Africa at skydiving contest "They sent us a link to re-book but they had nothing else available the week we were in Devon. "We emailed them twice whilst we were there but no reply. Also tried calling once home. "Then I checked the website and Facebook page and noticed it was no longer there. "Luckily we booked through Virgin who have offered vouchers or a refund so money wise we are ok." Other customers include Marie Neal who was due to jump earlier this month having raised thousands of pounds for St Luke's Hospice in memory of her dad who was struck down with Hodgkin's Disease and died aged 57. Prior to receiving the email from the company, she said: "I have a lot of people that have sponsored me and St Luke's are waiting for their money but Buzz Skydiving seems to have disappeared." In the aftermath of the tragedy Skydive Buzz announced its intention to continue. It says the closure is due to financial reasons alone. A number of jobs will be lost but the company has not said how many. In its email the company has offered some advice to those with vouchers. It says: "It is advisable to contact the voucher company in the first instance (i.e. Virgin, Red Letter Days, Into the Blue, etc) to progress potential refunds. "Customers paying by credit card may be entitled to a refund through Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, subject to certain conditions. "Customers paying by debit card may be able to request a chargeback through their bank, subject to certain conditions. "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, who lived in Totnes, and Adam, who lived in Bournemouth, Dorset. Belinda was a participant in the tandem skydive, with Adam as her instructor. The pair exited the aircraft and began the freefall, the inquest heard. The parachute did not open as expected and they died of injuries sustained in the fall. Belinda's partner Scott Armstrong spoke of his heartbreak after she died. Scott had bought Belinda the skydive as a "thank you" present, he said, after she let his nine-year-old son move into their home. Belinda had never jumped from an aircraft before, but was described as an adrenaline junkie who would try anything once.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
'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.
Sky News
27-06-2025
- General
- Sky News
Tributes paid to 'true original' who died while skydiving
Family and friends have paid tribute to a student who was among two people who died while skydiving in Devon - describing him as a "true original". Adam Harrison died in the incident near Dunkeswell Aerodrome, near Honiton, in Devon on Friday, 13 June. The 30-year-old skydiving instructor, from Bournemouth, was a chiropractic student at the Health Sciences University in the town. In a statement, his family and friends said: "From the very first moment you met Adam, you felt it - that spark. He didn't simply enter a room; he lit it up. "With boundless energy, an infectious laugh, and a natural warmth that made everyone feel like a lifelong friend, Adam was a true original. "He was, as so many have said, 'one of a kind', a beautiful soul whose kindness and charisma left a mark on everyone lucky enough to know him. "Adam had a way of turning ordinary days into unforgettable adventures. Whether he was swinging through trees at Go Ape, chasing dreams in the sky as a tandem instructor, or lifting spirits at every party, he carried a joy that was impossible to ignore. He made life feel lighter - funnier, freer, more alive. "He approached everything he loved with passion - from skydiving and snowboarding to spontaneous adventures and silly jokes. He was always chasing joy, and he brought others along for the ride. Even in life's toughest moments, Adam chose light." Mother-of-four Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, also died in the incident, which is now the subject of an investigation. An inquest into their deaths was opened this week and heard that they both died after their parachute failed to open during a tandem skydive. The inquest was adjourned pending further investigations. Ms Taylor's partner, Scott Armstrong, paid tribute to her earlier this month, writing on Facebook: "I miss you so much, you were my best friend. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, from making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess... 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." Ms Taylor's eldest son, Connor Bowles, paid tribute to a "selfless woman" who was also a grandmother to two young children. In a statement, Skydive Buzz, the company that organised the fatal jump, said it was "heartbroken" by the deaths and was fully co-operating with the investigation. It said: "Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and everyone affected by this devastating event." As per standard procedure, the relevant authorities were contacted immediately, and the appropriate investigation protocols were initiated without delay. " A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now investigate. "Once complete, a report - including conclusions and any recommendations - will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee (STC), and other relevant bodies. "Safety is, and always has been, our top priority. We are fully co-operating with the investigation and continue to uphold the highest possible standards in everything we do." The Air Accident Investigation Branch earlier said that it had been "notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives" but that it was a matter for British Skydiving. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed it was aware of the incident but could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation. A spokesman added: "We will work closely with the relevant authorities to understand what happened and are awaiting the report into the incident."
The Independent
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Family remembers ‘one of a kind' instructor killed in tragic skydiving fall
A university student has been tragically killed in a skydiving incident in Devon, with family and friends remembering him as a "true original". Adam Harrison, a 30-year-old chiropractic student at Bournemouth Health Sciences University, died on Friday, 13 June, near Dunkeswell Aerodrome. Mr Harrison, who was from Bournemouth, died along with Belinda Taylor, 48, after their parachute failed to open. In a moving statement, Mr Harrison's family and friends said: 'From the very first moment you met Adam, you felt it – that spark. He didn't simply enter a room; he lit it up. 'With boundless energy, an infectious laugh, and a natural warmth that made everyone feel like a lifelong friend, Adam was a true original. 'He was, as so many have said, 'one of a kind', a beautiful soul whose kindness and charisma left a mark on everyone lucky enough to know him. 'Adam had a way of turning ordinary days into unforgettable adventures. Whether he was swinging through trees at Go Ape, chasing dreams in the sky as a tandem instructor, or lifting spirits at every party, he carried a joy that was impossible to ignore. He made life feel lighter – funnier, freer, more alive. 'He approached everything he loved with passion – from skydiving and snowboarding to spontaneous adventures and silly jokes. 'He was always chasing joy, and he brought others along for the ride. Even in life's toughest moments, Adam chose light.' Mother-of-four Belinda Taylor, from Totnes, also died in the incident, which is now the subject of an investigation. In a statement, Skydive Buzz said it was 'heartbroken' by the incident and was fully co-operating with the investigation. It said: 'Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and everyone affected by this devastating event. 'As per standard procedure, the relevant authorities were contacted immediately, and the appropriate investigation protocols were initiated without delay. 'A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now investigate the accident. 'Once complete, a report – including conclusions and any recommendations – will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee (STC), and other relevant bodies. 'Safety is, and always has been, our top priority. We are fully co-operating with the investigation and continue to uphold the highest possible standards in everything we do. 'No further details will be provided at this time. We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected, including our team, during this incredibly difficult time.' The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed it was aware of the incident but could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation. A spokesman added: 'We will work closely with the relevant authorities to understand what happened and are awaiting the report into the incident.'
