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Stuntman killed in Swiss wing-diving incident

Mark Sutton (42) parachuted into London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony dressed as James Bond

British stuntman Mark Sutton parachuting into the Olympic Stadium dressed as James Bond during the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony. Sutton died yesterday after crashing into a mountain ridge in the Swiss Alps while wing-diving. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire.
British stuntman Mark Sutton parachuting into the Olympic Stadium dressed as James Bond during the Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony. Sutton died yesterday after crashing into a mountain ridge in the Swiss Alps while wing-diving. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire.
Thu Aug 15 2013 - 10:20

A stuntman who parachuted into the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics dressed as James Bond alongside a double of Britain's Queen Elizabeth has been killed in a wing-diving accident in the Swiss Alps.

Mark Sutton (42), a former Ghurkha Rifles officer, died after jumping from a helicopter and crashing into a mountain ridge in the Trient area near the border with France yesterday. Swiss police are investigating.

Wing-diving is an extreme sport which involves using a special jumpsuit with wings that allow the wearer to glide. Wing-divers usually end their jump using a parachute.

Handout photo issued by the Valais Police Department of a general view of the area of Trient, Switzerland, where British stuntman Mark Sutton, was killed in an accident. Photograph: Valais Police Department/PA Wire.
Handout photo issued by the Valais Police Department of a general view of the area of Trient, Switzerland, where British stuntman Mark Sutton, was killed in an accident. Photograph: Valais Police Department/PA Wire.

The Olympic stunt was a highlight of the last year's opening ceremony and followed the showing of a film in which 007 actor, Daniel Craig, called at Buckingham Palace to meet and escort the real Queen Elizabeth to the Olympic stadium.

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Agencies