A legend of the skies has been remembered as tributes poured in and hundreds of pounds were raised in his name following a fatal skydiving incident.
Friends and fellow jumpers have paid heartfelt tributes to 49-year-old Chas McNeil, who died while taking part in a wingsuit jump at Skydive South West, which operates out of Dunkeswell Aerodrome.
A fundraising page set up by Daniel Hoole has already raised hundreds of pounds to support Chas’s loved ones.
The GoFundMe page, titled The True Legend Chas, states: “Please help and support the McNeil family in the time, this collection is to celebrate all what Chas was to us all. What can you say about this MAN, all who knew him, loved him.
“He was always there at the front leading the way, smiling no matter how bad things got. He was and always will be one of the greats. Let’s give him the send off he deserves ❤️.”
The page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/the-true-legend-chas.
Tracy Yellowcrayon Hoole said: “Chas McNeil truly deserves the best send off 🥺💔 and if we can make things easier for his loved ones in this incredible hard time and show how adored and loved he was and take away some worries 💔🥺❤️ the blue 💙 sky’s are yours forever now darling 💙.”
Ellie Keich said: “I genuinely have no words. What an absolute privilege it was to be able to call you my friend.
“From gluing everyone back together last year to getting us in the sky. Your kindness and passion for life is something unmatched.
“Fortunate enough to see the loud witty side of Chas, all the outrageous jokes, brutal honesty and hilarious stories. But also the kind, determined and patient side.
“Chas was loyal, encouraging and generous with his advice something that will be painfully missed. It was a true honour to learn from Chas and experience the sky with him.
“The pride he held for us after every jump is something I will remember for ever. Thank you for just being you and thank you for believing in me when I did not even believe in myself.
“Blue skies and one last Yeeeehaaawww 🤠🤍🪂.”
Tim Lawson said: “In this amazing sport, we meet some truly incredible people and share some truly amazing experiences. But sometimes, like life, it can be very cruel.
“Chas, I have known you for about 15 years, and you and I have become close mates over the last couple of years. Whether it is working together, paragliding, or just hanging out in the evening, we were always laughing.
“But you also had so much advice to offer, and was somebody that I could phone up when I need someone to talk to. Like so many others I really looked up to you mate.
“Since my time that I have been in New Zealand over the last few months, you have been the one that is always been checking up on me, phoning me weekly, making sure I am okay, reminding me to look after myself, and just being a mate.
“I will never forget your friendship, your kindness, and the inspiration that you gave me. Rest easy Chas. Blue skies. ❤️❤️❤️.”
Annie Lewis wrote: “It’s hard to comprehend that we’re not going to see you again, Chas McNeil. Today I heard the news I never imagined hearing about someone like you, and I’m completely gutted.
“My heart goes out to Chas’s family, to his mum and dad, who must have been so incredibly proud of him, to Kaci, to Meg, and to everyone at Skydive Southwest. I can’t begin to imagine what you’re all going through.
“I first knew Chas back at South Cerney, and like so many of us in the skydiving world, our paths crossed again and again at different drop zones over the years.
“Chas was a proud member of the Silver Stars Parachute Freefall Team, and an exceptional skydiver, a brilliant AFF instructor and tandem instructor who shared the sky with thousands of people, giving them an experience they would never forget.
“He absolutely loved what he did. Whether it was teaching, jumping with friends, or just being around the dropzone, Chas brought energy, humour, and that unmistakable spark that made everyone glad to be around him.
“To lose him in his 49th year is so hard to comprehend, and there really are not words big enough for it.
“But the skydiving world is a family. In the coming days, weeks, months and years, we will do what we always do, we will come together, share the stories, remember the jumps, the laughs, and the moments that made Chas who he was.
“Blue skies, Chas. You will be missed more than words can ever say.”
In a statement following the incident, Skydive South West said it was “deeply saddened” and that its thoughts and heartfelt condolences were with the man’s family, friends and the “close-knit” skydiving community.
The centre said he had completed 10,000 jumps and was using his personal parachute equipment while carrying out a wingsuit jump with a friend on Saturday.
It added: “As a small, family-run drop zone, this loss has affected us profoundly and personally.
“The UK skydiving community is close-knit and when we lose one of our own, it is felt across the entire community.”
British Skydiving confirmed its board of inquiry would investigate the circumstances of the jump. A full report with its conclusions and any recommendations will be submitted to the coroner, police, Civil Aviation Authority, British Skydiving Safety & Training Committee and any other relevant authorities.
Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to the airfield near Honiton at about 1pm on Saturday.
A spokesperson said: “Emergency services attended the scene, where sadly a 49-year-old man was confirmed deceased. His family have been informed.”
Saturday’s death comes less than a year after two people lost their lives while taking part in a tandem jump at the same airfield.
Skydiving instructor Adam Harrison, 30, and Belinda Taylor, 48, died when their parachute failed to open at Dunkeswell on June 13. The skydiving company that organised that jump later went into administration.
Dunkeswell Aerodrome is a former RAF site located in the Blackdown Hills area. According to its website, the site was originally built to be a US naval base during the Second World War.
