A 22-year-old woman with skydiving experience has died after plunging into a farmer’s field beside Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire – a tragedy that halted all other charity jumps and left emergency crews scouring the scene for hours.
Police were called at 12:13 BST on Sunday after reports of an incident involving a skydiver. The woman was found in a nearby field and pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured.
“Woman, 22, dies in skydiving incident near Langar Airfield; was experienced skydiver, police say.”
Detective Inspector Rachel Mayfield of Nottinghamshire Police said: “This was a tragic incident, and we are working with partners to understand what happened. As our investigations continue at the scene, our thoughts are with the woman’s family and everyone else who has been affected by this incident.”
The woman’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. A file will be prepared for the coroner.
A spokesman for Skydive Langar, which operates from the airfield, said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a fatal incident occurred at our centre today involving an experienced skydiver. The entire team at Skydive Langar is devastated by this tragic loss. Our immediate thoughts, deepest condolences, and full support are with the skydiver’s family, friends, and everyone within our close-knit community who has been affected at this incredibly difficult time.”
All other charity skydives were cancelled for the day and people were told to evacuate the area. The spokesman added that the centre is working in full cooperation with police and all relevant authorities.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Bingham Fire Station at around 12:30pm to assist police. A spokesperson said: “Bingham Fire Station were called to an incident at Langar Airfield at 12.30pm to assist police. We remain on scene however looks like we will be leaving shortly.”
Langar Airfield opened in 1942 as a base for the RAF’s 207 squadron during the Second World War. Skydive Langar, which opened at the site in 1977 and operates from the historic control tower, says it is the UK’s busiest civilian skydiving centre, carrying out more than 50,000 jumps a year using a fleet of three turbine-powered aircraft: two Cessna Grand Caravans and one standard Cessna Caravan.
Police have asked anyone with information to call 101, quoting incident 306 of July 5.