The sky dive instructor who plunged 15,000ft to his death alongside an ‘adventurous’ mother-of-four had been in training to become a chiropractor.
Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, and Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, died in the tragic incident at Dunkeswell Airfireld in Devon on Friday afternoon.
Devon and Cornwall Police today confirmed the two identities as their heartbroken families try to come to terms with the enormous grief.
Mr Harrison’s loved ones yesterday described him as ‘the most wonderful and talented self-driven man’.
And it has now come to light that the 30-year-old had been lining up a new profession, one he tragically said was set to provide him with ‘a bright future’.
While continuing his ‘passion’ as a self-employed sky dive instructor, Mr Harrison had been attending AECC University College in Bournemouth as a full-time ‘Chiropractic Student’.
His family yesterday said he was ‘on the brink of qualifying’ and embarking on the new career.
Paying tribute to their ‘beloved son, brother, uncle and friend’, they added: ‘He showed everyone that you could do anything if you work hard enough.
‘We love you, Adam, more than you know. You were a hero to your nieces and nephews and we will never stop thinking about you.
‘Adam had built a sterling reputation as a professional instructor, and we take comfort in knowing that he would undoubtedly have done everything in his power to avert any crisis.’
A fitness enthusiast, Mr Harrison’s first job on record was an an activity instructor to children in France.
He then taught gymnastics and high ropes at places like GoApe before even working as a chalet host in the French alps.
Mr Harrison joined GoSkydive in July 2017, where he learned to ‘pack parachutes, harness and entertain customers’ before being promoted to an instructor after years of training.
He then left to take up a self-employed role at Skydive Buzz, in September 2021.
Advertising the 15,000ft jump, the website reads: ‘Once in a lifetime experience? Ticking the bucket list? Jumping for charity? Whatever your reason, if you can afford too; jump from the ultimate altitude! No-one jumps from higher in the UK!’
Mr Harrison’s family also paid their respects to Ms Taylor’s loved ones, after the 48-year-old mother died with him in the tandem jump.
They added: ‘We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to all Belinda’s family and friends.
‘We are grateful for the outpouring of support and we will always remember Adam as the man who loved life, and everyone that he came into contact with.’
Ms Taylor’s son, Elias, 20, spoke yesterday to and told how his mother had been becoming more ‘adventurous’ after meeting her new boyfriend Scott Armstrong, who brought the jump for her as a present.
The university student who lives in west London also revealed that she had been making jokes about making the jump on Friday the 13th, a date which often prompts superstitions.
He said: ‘She really just put everyone above herself. It’s really difficult for (younger sister) Emily as she was the one living there with mum.
‘I spoke to her a week before it happened. It’s kind of weird thinking about it now, but at the time obviously she was saying how the jump would take place on Friday 13th and all those things… you don’t really expect what happened to happened.
‘She was mentioning it in a jokey way.
‘It’s all still a bit of a shock. Recently she had (boyfriend) Scott and two of his kids, and looked after them. She was getting more adventurous with him, kayaking and stuff, looking to have that excitement and have more fun.
‘She talked for ages and ages, and always wanted to have a chat. She was such a positive person.’
He added: ‘We just want answers about what happened and how it could have happened.
‘We want as much information as possible, we feel like it would help us be at peace.’
Grieving partner Mr Armstrong has demanded information about what caused the tragedy, which is now being probed by the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry.
Ms Taylor’s ex-husband Bachir Baaklini was also in tears as he described wanting ‘justice’ for Ms Taylor, with whom he shares two biological children, Elias and Emily, 13.
Speaking at his family home in west London, Mr Baaklini told : ‘We want her to rest in peace but we need justice.
‘This should not have happened. We have got to know why the kids lost their mum.’
Mr Baaklini, a restauranteur of Lebanese origin, described how the pair had a ‘really good, positive’ relationship in the last five years, and that Ms Taylor particularly got on with his wife.
He laughed as he recalled: ‘I used to see her every two or three weeks, she used to speak to my wife more than me.
‘Every time I send her a message of two words or something, she will send a five-or ten-minute voice note.
‘The minute I answer back she sends another ten-minute message, so I left it to my wife. My wife and her got on really well.
‘But I feel really guilty because I am not going to hear her voice again. She came and stayed with us two or three weeks ago because she came to pick Emily up.’
He added: ‘She had two step sons and they call me “dad”, today is Father’s Day and they messaged me. We all got on so well.’
Mr Armstrong revealed how he watched in horror as it happened – after buying her the jump as a present.
He wrote on social media: ‘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 done for me. From making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess.
‘I’m so lost without you. There’s just so much that I don’t have the words to express it. I feel so lost I don’t know where home is without you.’
He has also described buying the sky dive jump experience for Ms Taylor, also a grandmother-of-two, as a ‘thank you’ gesture – and witnessed what happened it alongside his nine-year-old son.
He told the Mirror: ‘The plan was to do a 7,000ft jump, but at the last minute she said she wanted to do a 15,000ft one, so I paid the extra money. They were the last group to go up.
‘I found Belinda and the instructor lying there, still together, both clearly dead. It was a horrific sight.
‘I miss her so much. I’m so lost without her. She meant the world to all of us and we’ll never forget her. She was an adrenaline junkie and an adventurer. She’d done kayaking and all sorts.’
A friend told that Mr Armstrong was ‘not in a good place’, saying: ‘He’s absolutely devastated. He knows something’s not right.
‘He’s not a silly boy, he knows when something’s wrong. She had never done it before. It was something she always wanted to do so Scott paid for it for her.
‘He’s absolutely traumatised and that she’s gone.’
Meanwhile, other tributes to Ms Taylor have been given – with her eldest son Connor Bowles telling DevonLive: ‘On Friday, June 13, our family lost our mum Belinda Taylor.
‘She was a mother of four children, three adult boys and one teenage girl, and a grandmother to two young children.
‘She was a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones.
‘She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life.
‘We as a family would like to ask for peace and privacy during this time whilst we grieve our loss and remember our mum as we should do.’
Ms Taylor had three adult sons and a teenage daughter, as well as welcoming Mr Armstrong’s nine-year-old son.
Other witnesses who were at the site on Friday have described the scene, with one saying: ‘My husband and I were there when this awful tragedy happened.
‘He was all harnessed up ready to do the next jump when they cancelled it and evacuated the area.
‘The emergency services arrived incredibly quickly. Such devastating news and heartfelt condolences to the families of both victims.’
‘He was all harnessed up ready to do the next jump when they cancelled it and evacuated the area.
Another witness added: ‘My husband and I were at the cafe waiting to be served when the cafe was told to close with no reason given.
‘We left, rather disgruntled at missing out on our coffee. Surprising how things are put in to perspective when you know the facts.
‘Our thoughts and condolences are with all those affected by this very sad tragedy.’
British Skydiving chief executive Robert Gibson earlier posted online: ‘Today, Friday 13 June 2025, British Skydiving has been notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives.
‘Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends and the entire skydiving community.
‘A British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident.
‘Once complete, a report – setting out the Board’s conclusions and any recommendations – will be submitted to the coroner, the police, the CAA, the British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee (STC) and any other relevant authorities.
‘No further details will be provided at this time. We respectfully ask for privacy for all those affected at this difficult time.’
Devon and Cornwall Police said today: ‘Two people who died following a sky dive in Devon have been named.
‘Emergency services were called to the area of Dunkeswell Aerodrome at around 1pm on Friday 13 June following concerns for the welfare of two people.
‘Sadly, two sky divers were both confirmed deceased at the scene and their families have been informed.
‘They have been named as Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth.
‘Enquiries remain ongoing by police, British Skydiving and East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office.
‘If anyone has information which may assist us, please call 101 or report via our website quoting 50250150193.’
A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority said: ‘We are aware of the incident and of our thoughts are of course with the friends and family at this difficult time.’
The CAA added they could not comment any further due to the ongoing investigation.
They said: ‘We will work closely with the relevant authorities to understand what happened and are awaiting the report into the incident.’
It comes after a separate skydiver was feared to have taken her own life in a 10,000ft fall from the sky in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham.
Jade Damarell, 32, an experienced parachutist who had accomplished more than 400 jumps, died instantly after hitting the ground during a jump at the base.
Police quickly ruled out any suspicious circumstances and were understood to have discovered notes disclosing her intentions.
understands that Ms Damarell, from Caerphilly, south Wales, had broken up with her boyfriend the day prior to taking to the skies.