Skydiving firm closes for good after mother plunged 15,000ft to her death with instructor

The company where a mother-of-four and her skydiving instructor plunged 15,000ft to their deaths has announced it has ceased trading.

Skydive Buzz Ltd, based at Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton in Devon, told customers it is going into compulsory liquidation.

It comes after skydive instructor Adam Harrison, 30, and Belinda Taylor, 48, who was strapped to him on her first jump, died when the parachute failed to open and they crashed to the ground on June 13.

A statement on Sky Buzz website said: 'It is with regret that the director have been required to make the difficult decision to cease operations with immediate effect.

They continued: '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.'

Last month, inquests were opened in to deaths of Ms Taylor and Mr Harrison.

Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney said they died from multiple injuries, with their bodies found in a field near the Dunkeswell airfield in east Devon on June 13.

The Exeter hearing was told mother-of-four Ms Taylor, 48, was taking part in a tandem parachute jump when she and her instructor exited the aircraft for the freefall jump.

Adam Harrison from Bournemouth died in the tragic incident at Dunkeswell Airfireld in Devon 

Belinda Taylor, who was described as being increasingly 'adventurous' by her son, also died in the tragic incident

Emergency services were called to the scene at Dunkeswell Airfield on Friday June 13

Mr Spinney said: 'The parachute did not open as expected and they died as a consequence of the injuries sustained in the fall.'

He said investigations into the deaths continue and the inquests were adjourned.

In recent weeks the company had stopped answering calls and customers said bookings had been cancelled, The Sun reported.

He said investigations into the deaths continue and the inquests were adjourned.

One customer said they have lost £550 after paying for three skydives which have now been cancelled. 

They 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 their skydive in July was cancelled due to the weather, but have been unable to re-book since.

The sky dive instructor who plunged 15,000ft to his death alongside an 'adventurous' mother-of-four had been in training to become a chiropractor

Ms Taylor's son said his mother had been making jokes about making the jump on Friday the 13th, a date which often prompts superstitions

Skydive Buzz has insisted that the closure is due to financial reasons alone. The company has not confirmed how many jobs will be lost as a result of the closure. 

A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry is investigating the accident alongside the police, council and Civil Aviation Authority.

A statement from Skydive Buzz posted on Facebook said following the deaths on June 13: '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.

'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 cooperating with the investigation and continue to uphold the highest possible standards in everything we do.'

Pictured: A general view of Dunkeswell Airfield, where the two skydivers died in the tandem jump on Friday

A sign outside the airfield previously read: 'This site is closed today to the public'