British skydiver dies in the Algarve after disappearing during 12,000ft jump
Algarve stock image. PA
A British man died on Saturday after free-falling for over 12,000 feet in Portimao, Algarve.
The Portugal News reports that Jonathan Wickham's body was found the day after his skydive in a remote area almost two kilometres from the drop zone and was in between thick shrubs and bushes which has been searched the day before.
Jonathan, 44, who had been living in Portugal's Algarve for a number of years was originally from Ormskirk in Lancashire and moved to Odiaxere, just outside Portimao, where he ran a successful shade business, working with top resorts and hotels in the Algarve.
Fellow jumpers reported seeing Mr Wickham spiralling downwards, which indicated he may have lost consciousness during the jump and was unable to open his parachute. The reserve chute failed to open.
According to The Portugal News, he would have covered more than 50 metres a second during the fall and leaped 12,000ft from the aircraft.
His body was taken to Barlavento Hospital in Portimao for the cause of death to be determined.
Skydiving at the Portimao Aerodrome is extremely popular, especially outside summer with almost 300 days of sunshine recorded annually in the Algarve.
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