24 October 2023 , 15:44
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A British thrillseeker taking part in a parachuting festival was killed when he lost control and crashed against a cliff face.
Base jumper Dilip Marcus Sundhod had travelled with a group of friends to the International Air Games Festival in Turkey. The 47-year-old performed a free fall from a 1,300-ft cliff in the Butterfly Valley in Fethiye, in Mugla Province, and opened his parachute shortly after. However, when he opened the chute, he lost control and smashed into the steep rockface.
His distraught friends alerted emergency services and the National Medical Rescue (UMKE) and Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) teams were dispatched to the area. Teams spent an hour getting to the remote location he had fallen and confirmed he had died in the accident.
Tributes have been paid to Dilip Sundhod (GoFundme)Dilip's body was lowered to Butterfly Valley with a rope, and from there, it was brought to Kumburnu Beach by a Coast Guard boat. His body was then taken to Fethiye State Hospital morgue. According to local media, Sundhod's jump was a separate free fall that was not part of the festival activities. Investigators are looking into the legality of the jump and whether all the proper safety regulations for the dangerous sport were observed.
Base jumper Dilip Sundhod jumped from 1,300ft, but was killed (CEN)A gofundme page, launched to help bring Dilip home, has already raised more than £6,000. A tribute written online read: "
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
A tribute to Dilip posted online read: “To those who knew him, Dilip was a shining light, whose infectious laugh and smile would touch all who met him. His recent death in a tragic Base jumping accident while on holiday in Turkey has left a gaping hole in many lives. He was well known in paragliding, skydiving and base jumping communities which has been echoed and reflected in the outpouring of touching and beautiful messages being shared.
Emergency teams carrying Dilip's recovered body (CEN)"While Dilip had an extreme sports+ insurance package the claim against this policy was rejected. We now have the painful task of repatriating him to the UK while his soulmate, Claire remains by his side in Turkey, with this situation only making the current task that much harder. We just want him home. Please help us support Claire at this most difficult time, with all funds going to her to make this happen. Every contribution, no matter how large or small will have a meaningful impact as his family and friends come to terms with this tragedy."
A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed it was “aware” a British man had died in Turkey and it was in touch with local authorities, although it has not been approached for assistance.