Skydiver died after parachute failure - coroner

A skydiver died after his parachute failed to deploy for "some unknown reason", an inquest has heard.

Charles McNeil, 49, from Poole, Dorset, died while doing a wingsuit jump with a friend at Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton.

An inquest was opened on Wednesday at Devon Coroner's Court in Exeter and area coroner Deborah Archer said the precise cause of his death had not been ascertained at this point.

She said the skydiving instructor and HGV driver had died when "for some unknown reason the parachute did not deploy and sadly he plummeted to the ground".

Devon and Cornwall Police said emergency services were called about 13:00 GMT on February 28 following concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver.

The force said McNeil, who was known as Chas, had been confirmed dead at the scene.

The coroner adjourned the inquest until a later date while investigations involving British Skydiving, police and the local authority continue.

McNeil's death was the third at the same airfield in eight months. Two people died in June 2025 when their parachutes failed to open during a tandem jump from 15,000ft (4,572m).

Inquests into the deaths of 48-year-old mum-of-four Belinda Taylor and 30-year-old instructor Adam Harrison were previously opened by the same coroner's court and adjourned for further investigations to take place.

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