By CRISTINA ALCOCK news@algarveresident.com
The body of a British man and Algarve resident was found on Sunday morning (October 21) after his parachute failed to open during a skydiving jump the previous day.
An experienced parachutist, Jonathon Wickham, 44, was taking part in an international skydiving event with around 200 other jumpers at the Portimão Municipal Aerodrome in Alvor when he disappeared on Saturday afternoon.
After jumping out of the plane at 4,500 metres, eye-witnesses saw him spinning through the air with his parachute closed, indicating that he may have lost consciousness, before disappearing from view.
For reasons unknown, his parachute failed to open and the back-up equipment also failed. Following a search on Saturday by Maritime Police, fire fighters and residents, which was called off as night fell, GNR and police sniffer dogs discovered the body amongst bushes in the area of Abicada, around two kilometres from the aerodrome, at 9.30am on Sunday. He was declared dead at the scene.
According to experts, it is unlikely that the equipment was faulty as the victim was an experienced skydiver.
The body was taken to the morgue at Barlavento Hospital in Portimão, where an autopsy was due to take place.
Originally from Lancashire, Jonathon was the founder and owner of Oz Shades in Odiáxere, and well known among the business community in the Algarve.
The Algarve Resident extends deepest condolences to Jonathon’s family and friends.
