What began as a daring leap into the skies for a woman seeking a thrill turned into a devastating nightmare for her family.
Belinda Taylor, a 48-year-old mother-of-four from Totnes, Devon, died during a tandem skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield—on what was chillingly Friday the 13th.
She had joked about the date, not knowing it would be her last day.
A Gift That Ended in Heartbreak
Belinda’s skydiving experience was a present from her boyfriend, Scott Armstrong.
What was supposed to be a memorable adventure turned into a fatal accident as Belinda and her instructor fell 15,000ft to their deaths.
Scott, who watched the horror unfold alongside his 9-year-old son, later said he felt “lost without her.”
Initially, the plan was for a 7,000ft jump. But Belinda, feeling adventurous, opted to go even higher. Scott paid extra for the 15,000ft experience.
It was a decision he now painfully regrets.
Remembering a Selfless and Joyful Soul
Belinda’s son Elias, a 20-year-old university student in west London, described his mum as selfless and full of positivity.
He recalled how she became more adventurous after meeting Scott, taking up kayaking and embracing life more boldly. “She always wanted to chat, always upbeat,” he said.
Belinda had recently taken on a motherly role with Scott’s children, too, welcoming them into her life alongside her own children.
Her youngest daughter Emily, just 13, lived with her full-time.
The Family’s Search for Answers
Elias and his family now want to understand how such a tragic accident could have happened.
“We just want answers. We want to be at peace,” he shared.
Belinda’s ex-husband, Bachir Baaklini, who shares two children with her, echoed that sentiment. Fighting back tears, he said the family needed justice.
“This should not have happened. The kids lost their mum—we need to know why.”
A Bond That Went Beyond Divorce
Despite being divorced, Belinda and Bachir had remained close.
In fact, Belinda often spoke more with Bachir’s current wife than with him.
“She was always sending long voice notes,” he recalled with a sad smile. “Now, I won’t hear her voice again.”
Belinda even stayed at their house recently while picking up their daughter.
Bachir noted that her two stepsons still call him “dad”—on Father’s Day, they sent him messages, a bittersweet moment under such sorrow.
Tributes Pour In for a Loved Instructor
Belinda wasn’t alone in her final moments. She was strapped to 30-year-old Adam Harrison, a professional skydiving instructor who also lost his life in the fall.
He had been working as an instructor since 2020 and was training to become a chiropractor.
Adam’s sister, Amy Harrison, paid tribute to him, saying he was a “wonderful” person and a dedicated professional.
“We know Adam would have done everything he could to avoid the tragedy,” she said.
Scott Armstrong’s Grief: “They Took My World Away”
Scott, who had gifted the skydiving experience as a thank-you to Belinda, is now deeply shaken.
In a post online, he poured out his grief, writing, “I miss you so much. I’m so lost without you.”
He had watched in horror as the accident happened, finding Belinda and the instructor lifeless on the ground. “It was a horrific sight,” he recalled.
Friends say Scott is struggling to cope. One friend told MailOnline, “He’s absolutely devastated. He knows something doesn’t feel right.”
The Skydiving Community Reacts to the Tragedy
The British Skydiving community has launched an official investigation.
Their chief executive, Robert Gibson, expressed deep condolences and confirmed that a Board of Inquiry will examine what happened.
The final report will be sent to multiple authorities, including the police and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Meanwhile, other witnesses at the site have spoken out. One person recalled being suited up for the next jump when everything was suddenly halted and emergency services rushed in.
A couple waiting for coffee in a nearby café were asked to leave without an explanation, only learning later about the tragedy.
Police and Authorities Begin Their Investigation
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that they were called to Dunkeswell Aerodrome around 1pm on Friday. Both skydivers were declared dead at the scene.
Police have asked anyone with information to come forward.
The CAA also acknowledged the incident but declined to comment further while the investigation is underway.
“We will work closely with the relevant authorities,” a spokesperson said.
A Second Skydiving Death Raises More Concerns
This accident comes just weeks after another fatal skydiving incident in County Durham, where 32-year-old Jade Damarell, an experienced parachutist with over 400 jumps, died in what police believe was a suicide.
It’s left the skydiving world shaken.
For those struggling emotionally, support is available through Samaritans at 116 123 or via samaritans.org, as well as the calmzone.net.