Mother-of-four, 48, who plummeted 15,000ft to her death in tandem skydive tragedy was ‘laughing and joking up to the last minute’

A mother-of-four who plummeted 15,000ft to her death in a skydive tragedy was ‘laughing and joking up to the last minute,’ her partner shared. 

Belinda Taylor, from Totnes in Devon, fell to her death alongside instructor Adam Harrison in a ‘tragic accident’ at Dunkeswell Airfield, in Devon.

Her grieving boyfriend Scott Armstrong told the BBC one of the other people on the plane messaged him to say Ms Taylor was ‘really excited’ for the jump.

‘Somebody had sent me the nicest message last night.

‘They said they were on the plane with her and she was laughing and joking and really excited of going up to the last minute. And I needed to hear that,’ he said. 

The 48-year-old had only planned a 7,000ft jump when she arrived at the centre last Friday before changing her mind at the last minute.

Mr Armstrong had bought the skydive experience for her as a present, she initially planned a 7,000ft jump before changing her mind at the last minute. 

He said: ‘I found Belinda and the instructor lying there, still together, both clearly dead. It was a horrific sight.

Ms Taylor (pictured), also a grandmother-of-two, from Totnes in Devon, is said to have fallen to her death during a 15,000ft dive alongside an instructor

Family members have been paying tribute to Belinda Taylor, who died in the incident on Friday

The instructor who died in Friday’s incident has been named as Adam Harrison (pictured), who had worked as a skydiving instructor since September 2020

‘I miss her so much. I’m so lost without her. She meant the world to all of us and we’ll never forget her.’

Operator Skydive Buzz advertises jumps from 7,000ft, 10,000ft and 15,000ft – with the company’s website proudly claiming: ‘No one jumps from higher in the UK!’

Devon and Cornwall Police and the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry are both investigating the cause of the accident.

Meanwhile Ms Taylor’s son Elias, 20, said she had become more ‘adventurous’ after meeting her new boyfriend Mr Armstrong.

Police have launched a probe following the death of two skydivers in a ‘tragic accident’ which reportedly involved a tandem jump (stock image of Dunkeswell Airfield)

A general view of Dunkeswell Airfield, where two skydivers died after a tragic accident, involving a tandem jump on Friday 13 June

Elias, a university student who lives in west London, described his mother, 48, as ‘selfless’, telling MailOnline: ‘She really just put everyone above herself. It’s really difficult for [younger sister] Emily as she was the one living there with mum.

‘I spoke to her a week before it happened. It’s kind of weird thinking about it now, but at the time obviously she was saying how the jump would take place on Friday 13th and all those things.

‘You don’t really expect what happened to happened. She was mentioning it in a jokey way.

‘It’s all still a bit of a shock. Recently she had Scott and two of his kids, and looked after them. She was getting more adventurous with him, kayaking and stuff, looking to have that excitement and have more fun.

‘She talked for ages and ages, and always wanted to have a chat. She was such a positive person.’

Belinda Taylor’s grieving partner Scott Armstrong has paid tribute to her on Facebook

Devon and Cornwall Police said the force was alerted to the incident at about 1pm on Friday, while confirming an investigation had been launched

He added: ‘We just want answers about what happened and how it could have happened.

‘We want as much information as possible – we feel like it would help us be at peace.’

Her eldest son Connor Bowles has said: ‘On Friday, June 13, our family lost our mum Belinda Taylor.

‘She was a mother of four children, three adult boys and one teenage girl, and a grandmother to two young children.

‘She was a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones.’

Her tandem partner Mr Harrison from Bournemouth had worked as a skydiving instructor since September 2020.

The 30-year-old, who has been described by his sister as ‘wonderful’, was also training as a chiropractor.

In a tribute, Mr Harrison’s sister Amy Harrison extended her condolences to Ms Taylor’s family.

A sign outside the airfield read: ‘This site is closed today to the public’

She said: ‘Adam had built a sterling reputation as a professional instructor and we take comfort in knowing that he would undoubtedly have done everything in his power to avert any crisis.’

A statement from Skydive Buzz posted on Facebook said: ‘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.’

It comes after a separate skydiver was feared to have taken her own life in a 10,000ft fall from the sky in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Dunkeswell Airfield on Friday at about 1pm

Jade Damarell, 32, an experienced parachutist who had accomplished more than 400 jumps, died instantly after hitting the ground during a jump at the base.

Police quickly ruled out any suspicious circumstances and were understood to have discovered notes disclosing her intentions.

MailOnline understands that Ms Damarell, from Caerphilly, south Wales, had broken up with her boyfriend the day prior to taking to the skies.

• For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit the calmzone.net/get-support.