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British tourist dies in Greek parachuting accident | British tourist dies in Greek parachuting accident |
(40 minutes later) | |
A British tourist has died in a parachuting accident on the Greek island of Zante, police have said. | |
He has been named by the Foreign Office as Jake Simkins. | He has been named by the Foreign Office as Jake Simkins. |
Police in the town of Alikes say Mr Simkins, believed to be 42 and on holiday with his seven-months-pregnant girlfriend, died in a fall on Friday. | Police in the town of Alikes say Mr Simkins, believed to be 42 and on holiday with his seven-months-pregnant girlfriend, died in a fall on Friday. |
A witness told the BBC the Briton crashed into a cliff face, and became stuck on the rocks. Police said he had been base jumping with a parachute. | A witness told the BBC the Briton crashed into a cliff face, and became stuck on the rocks. Police said he had been base jumping with a parachute. |
The Foreign Office added that it was assisting his family. | The Foreign Office added that it was assisting his family. |
Snagged | Snagged |
Greek police said Mr Simkins was base jumping off a cliff at Navagio beach in the north west of Zante, also known as Zakynthos, when the accident happened. | |
Siats Sotiros, a local police officer, said Mr Simkins' parachute got snagged on the cliff face. | Siats Sotiros, a local police officer, said Mr Simkins' parachute got snagged on the cliff face. |
He added that the Briton was stuck for three hours while emergency services attempted to rescue him, but fell to his death before he could be reached. | He added that the Briton was stuck for three hours while emergency services attempted to rescue him, but fell to his death before he could be reached. |
Dutch tourist Corne van der Eerden was on a nearby beach with his wife and witnessed the accident. | Dutch tourist Corne van der Eerden was on a nearby beach with his wife and witnessed the accident. |
He told the BBC: "We heard a flapping sound and saw what we thought was a guy sky-diving or parachuting. | He told the BBC: "We heard a flapping sound and saw what we thought was a guy sky-diving or parachuting. |
"He crashed into the wall - it looked to be about 60m high." | "He crashed into the wall - it looked to be about 60m high." |
Mr van der Eerden said the parachute appeared stuck on the rocks, and he ran over to try to help. | Mr van der Eerden said the parachute appeared stuck on the rocks, and he ran over to try to help. |
He added, "I shouted out to him and he said he thought he had broken his leg. He said he had his mobile phone on him and was going to call his wife. | He added, "I shouted out to him and he said he thought he had broken his leg. He said he had his mobile phone on him and was going to call his wife. |
"I told him to be careful but he said he was going to hang on tight. Our boat arrived then, so my wife and I had to leave." | "I told him to be careful but he said he was going to hang on tight. Our boat arrived then, so my wife and I had to leave." |
Mr van der Eerden later discovered the man had died. | Mr van der Eerden later discovered the man had died. |