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A “HIGHLY-experienced” skydiver’s death is feared to be an “act to end her own life”.
Jade Damarell, 32, died instantly after hitting the ground while parachuting with Sky-High Skydiving in County Durham on Sunday morning.
Jade – who had safely accomplished more than 400 dives in the past – was tragically pronounced dead at her landing site in nearby Wreford’s Farm.
Sky-High Skydiving issued a statement yesterday which indicated her death may have been a “deliberate act”.
The company has since deleted that statement.
It read: “It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place on 28 April 2025 involving a valued member of our community.
“All indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act taken to end her own life.
“This heartbreaking news has deeply affected all who knew her, and our thoughts are with her family and friends as they face this unimaginable loss.”
The statement added: “At this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy and compassion for those grieving.
“If you are struggling or in emotional distress, please know that you are not alone. Support is available.
“We urge anyone in crisis to speak to someone or reach out to a mental health professional. Even in the darkest moments, there is help and hope.”
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Describing the tragedy, a farm worker, who lives on the land where Jade died, told of how his wife spoke to one of the skydivers after Jade had fallen.
He told The Sun: “She heard a commotion and she saw a parachutist come out of the field and towards the house.
“He was very incoherent. My wife tried to ask him what he was doing.
“He said there had been an accident and he had to get away from this place.
“She called the police but they were already on their way.”
He explained how there had been three jumpers: one who lost their life – Jade – and two others.
The farm worker added: “The two others must have followed the trajectory of the woman and noticed she wasn’t going in the right direction.
“The skydive centre appoint our fields as their emergency landing zone but the normal landing zone is always at the centre half a mile away, that’s where the target is.
“We see parachutists every single day when the weather is correct to jump.
“There were police, ambulances and scenes of crime officers here when I got back.”
One of Jade’s friends from Shotton, County Durham, told MailOnline: “Everyone is devastated and deeply traumatised by what happened because she was very much part of the skydiving community.
“She was mad for the sport. In just the two days before she died, she did 11 jumps. She must have done 80 this year.”
One person is believed to have witnessed Jade’s tragic death.
Wreford’s Farm also paid tribute to the skydiver in a touching post on Facebook.
It wrote: “Tragically, last Sunday 27/4/25 a woman lost her life after a parachute incident/accident, please join us in saying a prayer for her and her family, we ask the Lord to accept her into the kingdom of heaven and strength to her family.
“We ask for our own and farms privacy for this deeply upsetting matter to be respected. God bless.”
Police had been quick to rule out any suspicious circumstances in the death of Jade.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said previously: “A woman has sadly died following a skydiving incident near Peterlee.
“Police officers and colleagues from the ambulance service were called to the incident in Shotton Colliery at around 10.30am on Sunday (April 27).
“Sadly, a woman in her thirties was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.”
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to an incident at Shotton Colliery in County Durham on Sunday 27 April at 10:17.
“We dispatched one ambulance crew and one specialist paramedic to the incident.”
