A Red Devils display team member died as a result of an unplanned parachute stunt
A member of the Red Devils display team lost his life due to an unplanned parachute stunt, as per the guidelines provided by the coroner. The incident involved an Afghanistan veteran, Mr. Walton, whose parachute canopy collapsed while attempting an unplanned canopy stacking maneuver, according to Coroner Jason Pegg.
Footage recorded on a GoPro by Mr. Walton revealed the tragic sequence of events. In the video, he is seen jumping from the plane and descending onto Nepalese mountaineer Mr. Purja, who had also activated his parachute. The two became entangled at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet, leading to a crash landing.
During the inquest, Mr. Purja, who testified in person, suggested that Mr. Walton may have been attempting to showcase a daring move by landing on top of his canopy. However, he emphasized the perilous nature of this action, stating that Mr. Walton endangered both their lives.
Describing the planned jump as a "freefall basic jump" with subsequent parachute drills, the Special Boat Service veteran outlined the intended sequence of events. Coroner Pegg, concluding the investigation as a misadventure, highlighted the credibility of Mr. Purja's testimony. He stated that it was more likely than not that landing on Mr. Purja's canopy was not part of the plan, and the attempt had catastrophic consequences, causing Mr. Walton to plummet to his death.
According to the coroner, Mr. Walton became entangled in parachute lines, unable to free himself, and suffered fatal injuries upon hitting the ground. The inquest revealed that Mr. Walton and Mr. Purja had met just a week before the incident and had been practicing their skills with 12 to 14 jumps daily.
Additional testimony via video link came from parachute instructor Victor Grande, who arrived at the accident scene shortly after the fatal incident. He described the emotional scene, with Mr. Purja visibly distressed, kneeling and crying, and the absence of emergency services at that point.
