TRIBUTES have poured in for a “highly-experienced” skydiver who tragically fell to her death during a jump at the weekend.
Jade Damarell, 32, had safely accomplished more than 400 dives in the past but died instantly after hitting the ground while parachuting with Sky-High Skydiving in County Durham on Sunday morning.
4
4
4
Police and emergency services had rushed to nearby Wreford’s Farm, where Jade had landed just before 10.30am on Sunday, but she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
In an emotional tribute, Sky-High Skydiving said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place on 28 April 2025 involving a valued member of our community.
“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.”
“At this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy and compassion for those grieving.”
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 an 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.”
4