Base Jumping tragedy for holidaymaker in Zante

A 42-year old British man has died after his parachute was caught on a cliff on the Greek island of Zakynthos.

Jake Simkins was base jumping near Navagio Beach in North West Zante when the accident occurred. His parachute became snagged on the cliff face, where Mr Simkins was stuck for three hours whilst emergency services tried to reach him. He called his wife from his mobile phone in the wait, before falling to his death.

Base Jumping is a sport where people jump from fixed objects, such as cliffs, and use parachutes to break their fall.

Mr Simkins was on holiday with his seven months pregnant girlfriend and had been working for London Underground for ten years as a technical officer looking after the tracks and signals on the network.

Bob Doyle, head of track and signals for London Underground, said: “Jake was a very promising up-and-coming technical officer who was set for a great future with London Underground.

“His death is a tragic loss which will deeply affect his colleagues and our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have confirmed the death and are assisting Mr Simkins’ family.