Skydiver died in wind tunnel after blacking out while 'in flight'

By EMILY ALLEN
Updated:



Tragic: Francis Sweeney, from Kings Norton, Birmingham, blacked out in a wind tunnel at an indoor centre in Manchester

Tragic: Francis Sweeney blacked out in a wind tunnel at an indoor centre in Manchester

A skydiving enthusiast died of a brain haemorrhage as he enjoyed the sport he 'loved most'.

Francis Sweeney, 23, from Kings Norton, Birmingham, blacked out in a wind tunnel at an indoor centre in Manchester.

His family said he had been born with a condition which could have caused a haemorrhage at any time.

His 28-year-old brother Matthew, who was with Mr Sweeney when he blacked out at the Airkix centre, said: 'He was doing what he loved most and was surrounded by friends and family.'

His relatives said his life had been 'filled with so much joy and happiness' and they were comforted that his last conscious moments had been in flight.

In a statement, they said Mr Sweeney would be 'loved and missed by so many of the people whose lives he touched.'

Mr Sweeney was described as an 'advanced flier', by the Airkix venue, which added he was 'talented and experienced'.

He blacked out at 5pm on Monday and died in hospital the following day.

A spokesman for the skydiving centre said: 'Francis Sweeney passed away almost 24 hours after suffering from a spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage that onset while he was at Airkix.

'He flew many times at both Airkix tunnels, following his passion to fly.

'His flying was at an advanced stage where he regularly flew in all types of body position known as free-flying. He was also an active skydiver.

The tragedy happened at the Airkix centre in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, pictured

The tragedy happened at the Airkix centre in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, pictured. Mr Sweeney was practicing advanced head down flying at the time

'While practising advanced ‘head-down’ flying with his personal coach in attendance, Francis simply passed out for no explainable reason.

'The coach, who is also one the of the world’s most qualified tunnel instructors, immediately brought him out of the wind-flow while an ambulance was called.'

The spokesman said the centre believed his condition was not 'related to any activity that he was partaking in and could have happened at any time in any place'.

He said: 'Tunnel flying is a safe recreational activity with the greatest risk normally being a potential dislocated shoulder.

'Members of Airkix are deeply distressed at losing both a friend and customer and all our thoughts are for his family.'

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: 'A 23-year-old man was taken to Trafford General Hospital for treatment but died the following day.

'There are no suspicious circumstances and the death has been passed to the coroner.'

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