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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Toby Meyjes

Brit dies in horror skydiving accident after going into free fall near Grand Canyon

A British man has died after going into free fall during a tandem sky dive near the Grand Canyon.

Christopher Swales' skydiving partner, who worked at a skydiving centre, survived the fall but suffered a broken leg and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Coconino County Sheriff's Office, who named Mr Swales as the victim on Tuesday, said the skydivers had "encountered difficulties while approaching the landing area" at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport.

"These difficulties caused the pair to free fall for an unknown distance and hit the ground in what was described as a 'hard landing'," a police statement said.

Emergency services were called shortly before 10am and Mr Swales was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Grand Canyon national park airport (Eric Salard/Wikimedia commons)

An investigation into the accident is ongoing, according to the force, although there are currently no signs that anything criminal took place.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman confirmed that the department are supporting the man's family.

"Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time," he added.

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