A second person who died in a tandem skydiving incident in Devon has been identified as instructor Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth.
Emergency services were called to the area around Dunkeswell aerodrome in the Blackdown Hills on Friday after concerns for the welfare of two people.
Harrison, who was a tandem skydive instructor, and Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, were confirmed dead at the scene.
Devon and Cornwall police named both on Monday after an earlier family tribute to Taylor. The force said: “Inquiries remain ongoing by police, British Skydiving and East Devon district council’s environmental health and safety office.”
One of Taylor’s sons, Connor Bowles, had paid tribute to a “selfless woman who wanted only the best for others”. She had three sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren.
He said: “She was a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones. She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life.”
Another son, Elias Baaklini, said his mother took part in the tandem jump because she wanted to experience “something new” and described the incident as “unlucky”.
He said: “She was a very caring woman, always supporting no matter what it was. She didn’t care as long as you were happy, we all loved her a lot and she will be very missed.
“She was a very positive woman as well, she liked to do exciting things so it’s just a tragedy that she went off to have fun, do something she’d never done before, experience something new and we lost her.”
Baaklini said he was in Exeter with his two older brothers on Friday to celebrate one of their birthdays.
He added: “We don’t know too much about what’s happened but I think when you go on these types of things it’s not what you’re expecting, especially now with the safety measures they have, it’s such an unlucky thing to happen. We just want to know what happened, the cause of it.”
Taylor’s partner, Scott Armstrong, wrote on social media: “I want answers. Today, they took my world away.
“I miss you so much, you were my best friend, thank you for everything you [have] done for me. From making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess.”
Taylor’s ex-husband, restaurant owner Bachir Baaklini, 46, who has two children with Taylor, including Elias, said his family wanted “justice”.
He added: “We need to find out what caused this so no one else dies the same way as she died. It’s a shock, Friday and Saturday we were just constantly in tears, you don’t think it’s a true story.”
Paying tribute to his ex-wife, he said: “She was a very funny human being. She was a very, very good mum. She was a nice lady. We are a close family.”
The company that organises the tandem skydives, Skydive Buzz, said it was heartbroken by the incident.
In a statement on its Facebook page, 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.
“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.
“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 chief executive of British Skydiving, Robert Gibson, expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, friends and the skydiving community. A British Skydiving board of inquiry would investigate, he said, adding: “Once complete, a report – setting out the board’s conclusions and any recommendations – will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the CAA [Civil Aviation Authority], the British Skydiving safety and training committee and any other relevant authorities.”
Devon and Cornwall police said anyone with information should call 101 or report via its website quoting 50250150193.
