An indoor skydiving centre in Basingstoke has been forced to temporarily close its doors following a harrowing incident that saw two people plummet from height during a flight session.
The terrifying event occurred at the popular iFLY Indoor Skydiving facility, where customers normally experience the thrill of freefall in a controlled wind tunnel environment. Instead, two individuals found themselves in a real-life emergency situation when they fell unexpectedly during their flight.
Emergency Response Activated
According to reports, the incident prompted an immediate emergency response. South Central Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to the scene following reports of people falling from height.
A spokesperson revealed: "We were called at 3.44pm to an incident in Basingstoke. We sent two ambulance crews and two ambulance officers to the scene. We assessed two patients, but they did not require hospital treatment."
Facility Closure and Investigation
In the wake of the incident, iFLY management made the decision to temporarily close the Basingstoke facility. A statement on their website confirmed the closure, citing "unforeseen circumstances" as the reason.
The company has launched a full investigation into what caused the frightening malfunction. Safety experts are examining the wind tunnel equipment and procedures to determine exactly how two people could fall simultaneously during what should be a carefully controlled experience.
Understanding Indoor Skydiving Safety
Indoor skydiving is typically marketed as a safe alternative to traditional skydiving, with participants floating on a column of air generated by powerful fans. Certified instructors normally accompany flyers in the tunnel, maintaining physical contact with beginners to ensure their safety.
This incident raises serious questions about what safety measures failed and how two people managed to fall in an environment designed to keep participants airborne. The investigation will likely focus on equipment failure, human error, or a combination of both factors.
Industry Implications
The incident at iFLY Basingstoke represents one of the most significant safety concerns to emerge in the indoor skydiving industry in recent years. As similar facilities proliferate across the UK, this event may prompt wider safety reviews and regulatory scrutiny.
Until the investigation is complete and any necessary safety improvements are implemented, adventure seekers in Hampshire will have to look elsewhere for their adrenaline fix.
