A skydiver plummeted to the ground after his parachute failed to deploy for ‘some unknown reason’, a coroner said today.
Charles McNeil, known as Chas, was taking part in a skydive at Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton, Devon, two weeks ago when he ‘plummeted’ to his death.
An inquest was opened today at Devon Coroner’s Court in Exeter and but the area coroner said the precise cause of his death has not been ascertained at this point.
Deborah Archer said the 49 year old skydiving instructor and HGV driver died when ‘for some unknown reason the parachute did not deploy and sadly he plummeted to the ground’.
The former soldier, who was described as a ‘good friend’ and whose ‘presence would always bring a smile’, had more than 10,000 jumps logged.
Chas and had been doing a wingsuit jump with a friend when he died but was using his own personal parachute equipment, according to Skydive South West.
Crawley born Chas’s death was the third at the same airfield in eight months.
Two people died last June when their parachutes failed to open during a tandem jump from 15,000 feet.
Charles McNeil, known as Chas, was taking part in a skydive at Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton, Devon, two weeks ago when he ‘plummeted’ to his death
The former soldier had more than 10,000 jumps logged and was doing a wingsuit jump with a friend at the time of his death
Inquests into the deaths of 48 year old mum of four Belinda Taylor and 30 year old instructor Adam Harrison have also been opened previously by the same coroner’s court.
Chas’s devastated mother, Karol, said she was ‘heartbroken’ but drew comfort from the ‘love and support’ from people who knew him.
She said: ‘As a mother and father our hearts are heartbroken at the loss of our son Chas.
‘But gives us strength to see all the love and support for everyone that knew him.’
His father added: ‘Chas’ dad here as you can imagine we are devastated but thank you for the post.
‘We will be in touch when we get back to the UK.’
A veteran’s charity, Phoenix Heroes, said at the time of Chas’s death: ‘Today we heard the devastating news that Chas McNeil sadly lost his life yesterday whilst skydiving.
‘This is so difficult to write as Chas has been with us from the beginning of Phoenix Heroes.
‘One of our first Regional Captains in the launch of our Veteran Carp Angling Community (VCAC).
‘He helped grow our veteran community and passed on his skills.
‘A good friend, skilled angler, a veteran with a passion for skydiving.
‘We only recently talked about getting out fishing and meeting up on our events.
‘This news has shocked our community and all those that knew Chas.
‘One of the good ones in life, his presence would always bring a smile, always happy to help others and approached life at fast pace.
‘We will miss you Chas, it hurts so much and our thoughts are with your family.’
One witness alleged on social media that he had missed the landing area, writing: ‘I was at Dunkeswell shortly after it happened today and saw the emergency response. Landed in a wooded area next to the airfield and missed the landing area.’
Chas had been living in Upton, near Poole in Dorset, and was single at the time of his death.
A fundraising page for his family has so far seen £3,700 raised.
A Skydive South West spokesperson said at the time: ‘Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends, and the wider skydiving community at this incredibly difficult time.
‘As a small, family-run drop zone, this loss has affected us profoundly and personally.
‘The UK skydiving community is close-knit, and when we lose one of our own, it is felt across the entire community.
‘Our staff continue to assist British Skydiving and police providing all the information they require.’
British Skydiving, the police and local authority are all investigating the deaths and inquests have been adjourned to a later date.