A British skydiver who died after jumping on Sunday morning may have lost her life in “a deliberate act”. Jade Damarell, 32, a highly experienced parachutist who had safely completed 400 jumps, died instantly when she hit the ground in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, around 10am on the weekend. It was initially presumed that the incident near Wreford’s Farm, reportedly witnessed by one person, was a tragic accident. However, the parachuting centre Jade was diving with has since claimed that the married marketing manager may have taken her own life.

“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”, SkyHigh Skydiving claimed in a statement. "At this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy and compassion for those grieving”, the statement added.

The centre added: “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.”

Durham Constabulary was quick to rule out any foul play. A spokesperson said: “A woman 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. Sadly, a woman in her 30s 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 friend of Jade’s, from Shotton, Co 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.”

A file has been passed to the coroner before an inquest is opened into the death. 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.”

Wreford Farm said in a statement on Facebook: “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.”

The horrific incident is the third skydiving fatality in the Peterlee area since 2016.

Sam Cornwell, 46, from Hampshire, lost his life during a jump at the South West Industrial Estate in April 2024.

In September 2016, 49-year-old Pamela Gower, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, died during a charity skydive at Peterlee Parachute Centre.

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