British Man Killed In US Skydive Was Given Jump As 30th Wedding Anniversary Gift From Wife

Christopher Swales had been thrilled with the gift, his family said.
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A 55-year-old man who was killed in a skydiving accident in Arizona had been given the jump as a 30 wedding anniversary gift by his wife.

Christopher Swales was found unconscious on the ground at Grand Canyon National Park Airport on Sunday and died later in hospital.

Swales had been on a tandem jump with another male, who was also injured, suffering a broken leg.

Swales’ family told The Sun he had always wanted to skydive and had been delighted when his wife Debbie surprised him with the gift on their US holiday.

Sister Caroline Peer, 61, said: “It was their 30th wedding anniversary.

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Christopher and Debbie Swales had renewed their vows shortly before the fatal jump
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“They renewed their vows. The skydive was arranged as a gift. He had not done one before.”

It is believed Swales and the other man encountered difficulties when approaching the landing area, and they were in free-fall before hitting the ground, authorities said. It’s not known how long they were falling.

Swales had purchased a package that included a tandem jump from Paragon Skydive, investigators said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, and Coconino County sheriff’s officials said in a statement that “there are no indications that the incident is criminal in nature.”