A mother-of-four and her skydiving instructor have died after falling 15,000 feet during a tandem parachute jump.
Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, was taking part in the tandem skydive at Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton in Devon when the fatal incident occurred.
Fellow plane passengers said the pair’s parachute and reserve parachute failed to open.
Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the scene shortly after 1pm on Friday, where they confirmed that two skydivers were pronounced dead at the scene.
The force, which remains at the scene while investigations continue, said officers were called "following concerns for the welfare of two people" and that both victims were "sadly confirmed deceased at the scene".
The identity of the instructor who died alongside Taylor has not yet been disclosed
Taylor's eldest son, Connor Bowles, paid tribute to his mother, describing her as "a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones".
The 48-year-old was a mother to three adult boys and a teenage girl, as well as a grandmother to two young children.
Bowles said: "She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life."
He thanked police and investigators for their support whilst requesting privacy for the family.
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Belinda Taylor was taking part in the tandem skydive at Dunkeswell airfield near Honiton when the fatal incident occurred
Taylor's partner, Scott Armstrong, who witnessed the tragedy unfold, 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."
Armstrong revealed he had purchased the tandem jump as a gift for his "adrenaline junkie" girlfriend.
"Belinda was my absolute world. She was so kind and giving and would do anything for anyone," he told The Mirror.
According to Armstrong, he saw Taylor and her instructor's bodies on the landing strip, which were "still together" and "clearly dead".
British Skydiving chief executive Robert Gibson confirmed an investigation has been launched. He said: "A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident. Once complete, a report will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the Civil Aviation Authority, the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee and any other relevant authorities."
The identity of the instructor who died alongside Taylor has not yet been disclosed.
Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 101 or via their website, quoting reference 50250150193.
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