Parachutist dies in holiday jump

Andrew Bearne was on a course at a parachute school

A Briton has died from a suspected heart attack during a 12,500ft parachute jump in Spain.

Andrew Bearne, 39, from Surrey, was on a course at a parachute school in the town of Ocana, south of Madrid, when he died during the jump on Wednesday.

Witnesses said Mr Bearne had suddenly appeared to slump in his harness at about 1,000ft from the surface. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Foreign Office spokesman said next of kin had been informed.

Mr Bearne, who was originally from Torquay, jumped from a plane at about midday, accompanied by two instructors.

One of the instructors landed first and guided Mr Bearne over a radio.

'No response'

David Cowman, one of the managers of the school, said: "He was following the guidance perfectly but at 1,000ft Andrew turned away from the target landing area and became slumped in his harness."

Mr Bearne did not react to repeated requests from his teacher, and continued to float in a straight line until he landed at some distance from the intended spot.

Two agricultural workers who witnessed him land said he appeared to have come to earth softly, Mr Cowman said.

A search team was immediately dispatched, along with an emergency helicopter from Madrid, and the on-site doctor.

Mr Cowman, speaking from Spain, said: "The doctor pronounced him dead at the scene."

The doctor said his injuries appeared consistent with a heart attack, Mr Cowman added. No results from a post-mortem examination have yet been released.