Police have named a “highly experienced” skydiver and wingsuit coach who died following a skydive in Devon.
Chas McNeil, 49, from Poole, Dorset, was pronounced dead at Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to the site just before 1pm after concerns for the male skydiver's welfare.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Mr McNeil, who was from Poole, was confirmed deceased at the scene.
“His family were informed and we ask that their privacy is respected.
“Enquiries remain ongoing by police, British Skydiving and East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr McNeil.”
The force added that Mr McNeil’s family had said: “Keep your chin up and when you look up at the sky, think of Chas.”
Skydive South West, which operates out of the aerodrome, previously said Mr McNeil had been carrying out a jump with a friend.
In a statement posted on social media, the centre said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that an experienced licensed skydiver and wingsuit coach with over 10,000 jumps logged tragically lost their life whilst carrying out a wingsuit jump with a friend, using his personal parachute equipment and an advanced wingsuit.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends and the wider skydiving community at this incredibly difficult time.”
It confirmed staff were assisting British Skydiving and Devon and Cornwall Police.
A spokesperson added: “We would respectfully ask that people refrain from speculation.
“Public conjecture can quickly lead to misinformation being shared, which is deeply distressing for the family, friends, and those directly affected.
“In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be kind.
“Our focus right now is on supporting the family, our staff, and our community as we process this loss.”
In a statement on social media, British Skydiving said: “British Skydiving can confirm that a fatal incident occurred yesterday involving a highly experienced skydiver at Dunkeswell Airfield.
“A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will now be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time.”
Mother-of-four Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, Dorset, died while skydiving in the area of Dunkeswell Aerodrome in June last year.
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