British Parachute Association Investigates Incident

Investigations are continuing after a man died and another suffered serious spinal and leg injuries when they collided during a skydive near Peterborough on Saturday afternoon (September 22nd).

Patrick Sandeman, a 53-year-old wine merchant, was pronounced dead at the scene after his parachute collapsed when he hit another skydiver around 50ft from the ground at Sibson Aerodrome.

The second man, believed to be in his 20s, was taken by air ambulance to Cambridge’s Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment. It is believed the pair were not part of a tandem skydive.

It has been confirmed that the sport’s governing body, the British Parachute Association, is working alongside Cambridgeshire Police to investigate.

The incident has come just months after a 40-year-old Merseyside man, Lee Arthur Clifford, was killed when his parachute failed to open during the Cockerham Gala in Lancashire.

David Urpeth, a legal expert at Irwin Mitchell, specialises in helping victims seriously injured or killed in accidents in public places.

He said: “It is very worrying to see two tragedies related to parachuting emerge just months apart and it is absolutely vital that as much information as possible is gathered on each incident.

“So many people will be seeking answers and reassurances following these deaths and the investigations will play a key role in ensuring that any lessons can be learned. This in turn should go some way to guaranteeing that safety standards in this area can be carefully assessed and, where necessary, improved.”