Investigation launched after skydiving tragedy

An investigation is underway following a skydiving accident in Cambridgeshire. One man was killed and another suffered serious injuries when they collided while skydiving yesterday afternoon.

The incident happened just before 3.30pm at Sibson Airfield near Peterborough. It's believed they collided at around 50ft in the air, causing their parachutes to collapse.

The Air Ambulance charity, Magpas, was called to the scene. The team of medics were unable to save one of the men, who was in his early fifties and thought to be from London.

The second man, who was in his early twenties and reported to be from France, suffered serious injuries to his spine and both legs. Magpas Helimedix Doctor Nick Foster said he is lucky to be alive. "It depends how you land from that sort of height. The second gentleman was fortunate in a way that he landed on his feet and absorbed some of the impact through the long bones in his legs" he said.

David Hickling from the British Parachute School said: "Skydiving is, as a sport, very safe, it's very well regimented, we have lots of rules and regulations which are aimed at keeping us safe, however, it's an unforgiving sport. If things go wrong then people do get hurt or killed."

Sibson Airfield says it is unable to comment at this time. The British Parachute Association is investigating.