British BASE jumper dies after parachute failure in French Alps

David Reader suffered a severe head injury and died in hospital

David Reader was an experienced jumper (Facebook )

A British skydiver died after his parachute failed to open during a jump in the French Alps, his family has said.

David Reader, 25, was taking part in a BASE jump near Sallanches, close to Mont Blanc, on 7 August.

He had already performed three jumps on that day before he ran into difficulties on his fourth attempt, according to BASE jumping publication Blinc.

His parachute failed to open and he hit the ground, suffering a severe head injury and several injuries to his body.

Mr Reader, from Newnham in Gloucestershire, was taken to hospital in Annecy but died the following day.

His girlfriend Domi Kiger said on Facebook: "He had a few body injuries but the most serious one was a very severe head trauma.

"I spent that first night with him in his room, holding his hand, talking to him, wishing for a miracle. The miracle didn't happen."

Ms Kiger said her boyfriend's organs had been donated and he would save six lives.

She added: "Dave was the most incredible human being I ever met. The type you don't necessarily notice straight away, the best type in my eyes.

"He was kind, humble, gentle, incredibly smart and talented in absolutely everything he put his mind into. Bright in so many ways.

"I can barely start grasping the void he is leaving in my life. I know I'm not the only one who will miss him."

Mr Reader worked as a wind tunnel instructor for Norway-based VossVind.

A spokesman said: "We are all extremely sad and devastated over the loss of our dear David. It is unreal, this was not supposed to happen.

"We were lucky to have him as an instructor. Dave was a wonderful ambassador for VossVind on his travels around the world. Not just because of his mad tunnel skills, but for the person he was. He was kind, funny, caring, inspiring, positive and simply amazing - we will miss him so much."

BASE jumping - which stands for buildings, antennas, spans and earth, from which jumps are performed - is one of the world's most dangerous sports. Unlike a parachute jump from a plane, BASE jumps are done from fixed objects at lower altitudes.

A list maintained by Blinc has recorded 299 BASE jumping deaths since 1981.