The son of Belinda Taylor, who died in a skydiving incident on Friday, has paid tribute to a “selfless woman who wanted only the best for others”, as her partner said he wanted answers over what went wrong.
Taylor had been taking part in a tandem skydive at Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton in Devon on Friday. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 1pm, with police confirming that two skydivers had died.
Her eldest son, Connor Bowles, paid tribute to the mother of three adult boys and a teenage girl, adding that she was a grandmother to two young children.
He thanked the police and investigators for their support, while asking for the peace and privacy of his family to be respected at this time.
Bowles said: “She was a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones. She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life.”
Taylor’s partner, Scott Armstrong, wrote on social media on Sunday: “I want answers. Today, they took my world away.”
He added: “I miss you so much, you were my best friend, thank you for everything you [have] done for me. From making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess.”
The identity of the other skydiver who died has not yet been disclosed.
The chief executive of British Skydiving, Robert Gibson, expressed his deepest condolences to the victims’ families, friends and the entire skydiving community. He added that a British Skydiving Board of Inquiry would investigate.
He said: “Once complete, a report – setting out the board’s conclusions and any recommendations – will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the CAA, the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee (STC) and any other relevant authorities.”
Devon and Cornwall police said that officers remained at the scene and that inquiries by relevant agencies were continuing.
The force said: “If anyone has information which may assist us, please call 101 or report via our website quoting 50250150193.”