Skydiver dies after incident near Nottinghamshire airfield

Body of woman, 22, found in field in proximity of Langar airfield, where popular civilian skydiving centre operates

A 22-year-old skydiver has died after a parachuting incident near a Nottinghamshire airfield, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called to Langar airfield, a former RAF base, at 12.13pm on Sunday and the woman was found in a nearby field, where she was pronounced dead at the scene, a police spokesperson said.

Skydive Langar, a skydive centre that operates at the site, said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a fatal incident occurred at our centre today involving an experienced skydiver.

“The entire team at Skydive Langar is devastated by this tragic loss. Our immediate thoughts, deepest condolences, and full support are with the skydiver’s family, friends, and everyone within our close knit community who has been affected at this incredibly difficult time.”

They added they were providing full cooperation with the police and asked for privacy as they navigated this “profound loss”.

The Nottinghamshire police spokesperson said the woman’s family had been informed and will be supported by specially trained officers.

Nobody else was hurt during the incident but police are investigating as they prepare a file for the Nottinghamshire coroner, who will open and adjourn an inquest in due course.

Nottinghamshire fire and rescue service were also called to the scene to assist police, a spokesperson said.

DI Rachel Mayfield of Nottinghamshire police said: “This was a tragic incident and we are working with partners to understand what happened.

“As our investigations continue at the scene, our thoughts are with the woman’s family and everyone else who has been affected by this incident.”

Langar airfield was opened during the second world war in 1942 as a base for RAF 207 squadron and Skydive Langar opened on the site in 1977.

It is the busiest civilian skydiving centre in the UK, with more than 50,000 jumps annually from its fleet of three turbine-powered aircraft: two Cessna Grand Caravans and one Cessna standard Caravan.