Yahoo News Videographer who died after 'parachute failed to open' in tragic incident is named
The videographer who died during a tragic parachute incident has been named
Sam Cornwell, from Hampshire, was skydiving on Saturday, April 28, near Shotton Airfield in County Durham when his parachute "failed to open." The 46-year-old suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene on South West Industrial Estate.
Emergency services raced to the incident, which took place around 12.30pm, with teams from Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, North East Ambulance Service, and Durham Constabulary all in attendance. The force has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, and the death is being treated as "unexpected."
SkyHigh Skydiving Peterlee issued a statement the day after the incident, saying they were mourning the death of a "close friend, colleague, and talented member of our team." It said teams were "deeply saddened" by the sudden loss and confirmed it would be temporarily closed for several days.
The British Skydiving Board also confirmed that it would conduct a thorough inquiry. A full statement from the police said: "An investigation is continuing after a man tragically died during a parachute jump last month. Sam Cornwell, from Hampshire was skydiving on Saturday (April 28) near Shotton when his parachute failed to open.
"The 46-year-old suffered critical injuries and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene in South West Industrial Estate in Shotton. The death is being treated as unexpected and inquires remain ongoing."
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 168 of April 27.
